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February–March 2016 Australian Sugarcane — 1

FEBRUARY–MARCH 2016

COVER Australian SugarcanePO Box 766, Toowoomba, 4350. Phone: (07) 4659 3555. Fax: (07) 4638 4520. Email: [email protected] – www.australiansugarcane.com.au DELIVERY ADDRESS: 120 Herries Street, Toowoomba, Qld. 4350

EDITOR: Brian O’Connell PRODUCTION MANAGER: Mick Allan ASSOCIATE EDITORS: David Dowling ACCOUNTS: Deb Meddleton Lloyd O’Connell NATIONAL ADVERTISING MANAGER: Michael Cook (0428 794 801)

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CONTENTS OF ADVERTISEMENTS are the responsibility of the advertisers. All statements and opinions expressed in Australian Sugarcane are published after due consideration of information gained from sources believed to be authentic. The following of advice given is at the reader’s own risk, and no responsibility is accepted for the accuracy of the matter published herein. No portion in whole or part may be reproduced without permission of the publisher. Copyright 2016.

Published by Berekua Pty. Ltd., 40 Creek Street, Brisbane, Queensland. Registered by Australia Post Publication No. PP100008014. ISSN 1442–5157.

PUBLISHED: FEBRUARY, APRIL, JUNE, AUGUST, OCTOBER, DECEMBER. AUSTRALIAN SUGARCANE ANNUAL

Dr Joshua Mylne is part of the team that has discovered that the commonly

used antibiotic ciprofloxacin, which kills bacteria, also kills plants. This

could lead to a new herbicide with a completely new mode of action.

Tiny bugs tackle big crop diseases

Tractors at war

Clean Energy Feature

INSI

DE

Print Post Approved Publication No. PP100008014

FEBRUARY–MARCH 2016Volume 20, No. 1 $7.70

Contents… 2 Editorial 4 ACFA commentary 7 Climate forecasting tools lift farm efficiencies 9 Tiny bugs tackle big crop disease problems

Weeds Feature… 11 Was ABC reporting on glyphosate misleading and

irresponsible? 12 What about weed diversity with glyphosate-resistant crops? 14 Common antibiotic inspires hunt for a new herbicide 15 Modern Machinery Matters:

Case IH – a history of track innovation 17 Marketing: Single origin wheat proving an export hit

Clean Energy Feature… 18 Clean energy defies fossil fuel price crash to attract record

global investment 19 New biomass database to help boost renewable energy sector 20 Energy grasses for biogas 21 Floating on Californian sunshine 23 Classic Tractor Tales: Tractors at war 26 News & New Products 28 District Reports 30 Fishing: Phil philosophises about a fisherman and his floss!

www.australiansugarcane.com.au

Eight page Next Gen Farmer Issue 18 in the centre of this

magazine.

2 — Australian Sugarcane February–March 2016

Climate forecasting lifts farm efficienciesMacintyre Valley cotton farmer and agricultural consultant, Tony Taylor, is tapping into a growing suite of climate modelling and weather forecasting tools to minimise production risk and fine tune his planting, irrigation and nutrient management decisions.

See article . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 7

Weeds FeaturePlant biologists at The University of Western Australia have discovered that the commonly used antibiotic ciprofloxacin, which kills bacteria, also kills plants by blocking the DNA copying machinery of the plants.

See articles starting . . . . . . . . Page 11

Tractors at warWalther Meyer gracefully banked the Messerschmitt 109 and pointed its sharp nose south. The squadron of Heinkel 111s, each weighted down with 5000 kilos of hideous incendiary bombs, would now have to continue on the final leg to Coventry, without the comforting presence of the five fighter escorts.

See article . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

In this issue...

Editorial… FARMER organisations are understandably

pleased that agriculture is now represented in Federal Parliament by an experienced

team. Following the Cabinet reshuffle and change of leadership in the Nationals we now have Deputy Prime Minister, Barnaby Joyce, and Assistant Ministers to the Deputy Prime Minister in the Agriculture and Water Resources portfolio, Anne Ruston and Keith Pitt.

And now to the weather: Mick Keogh, CEO of the Australian Farm Institute, had an interesting article in the Ag-Forum on the Institute’s website. It was titled “W(h)ither the Godzilla El Niño” – and the pun was very definitely intended.

Mick took issue with the media, climate change enthusiasts, academics and academic journals that trumpeted that the predicted El Niño for the last half of 2015 and early 2016, would be the big daddy of them all.

“The weather events experienced throughout Australia over the past three months have failed to live up to the dire predictions that were given so much air time, and in many cases, have been the exact reverse of what had been predicted as likely.

“The BOM has frequently noted that El Niño conditions are not necessarily a harbinger of drier and hotter conditions in Australia, and in fact the link between such conditions is not strong, especially at a regional level, and there is little correlation between the ‘strength’ of the El Niño conditions and the likelihood of drought or higher temperatures. Unfortunately, this caution is rarely reflected in media reporting – qualifications and cautions are buried at the back end of a story, or increasingly unlikely to appear.”

In this issue (page 7) we report on a farmer/consultant who is using a suite of climate forecasting tools to make better informed – certainly better than the pundits Mick mentioned above – management decisions for his clients.

Moving on to biogas and hoping it’s not just hot air!

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced recently that the government planned to use experience gained from building the liquid natural gas industry to develop a new biofuel industry.

Seems the government will be setting up a Biofutures Investment Fund in the next budget to help create a new sector. Apparently the major airlines and the US Navy’s ‘Green Fleet’ has expressed interest in using Queensland-made biofuels.

Readers will recall that the Green Fleet, which has visited our sunny shores, was designed to test the strategic and tactical viability of biofuels.

So here’s hoping this sees a rejuvenation of the ethanol industry which could provide cane farmers some market diversity and perhaps the birth of a biogas industry which relies on sourcing biomass – and that’s something all cane farmers are familiar with (see Clean Energy Feature in this issue).

The Australian sugarcane industry has a long history of dealing with damaging and expensive fungal diseases such as Smut, Orange and Sugarcane rust and Pachymetra root rot. The “tiny bugs tackle big diseases” story (page 9) looks at a new approach to fungal disease control in grain crops.

Researchers from CSIRO Agriculture have identified strains of soil bacteria that appear to be effective at suppressing Fusarium crown rot, Pythium damping off and take-all root rot – diseases that are estimated to cost the Australian grain and oilseed industries more than $250 million annually.

The bacteria were discovered – already thriving – in soils on the roots of wheat plants that were performing well in the face of high fungal disease pressure. This means they are already adapted to local conditions, readily take up residence in crop roots and are easy to culture and grow. Can the cane industry strike ‘pay-dirt’ of a similar nature?

by Brian O’Connell, Editor

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2016 has hit the ground at a great pace with the industry scrambling to advance on

many fronts before the next crush. Most regions have the makings of a good crop for so now attention turns to the sugar price – and specifically the ability for farmers to forward price under the new Grower Choice environment. The implementation of Grower Choice is a priority for industry as we move to put contracts in place for the 2017 season and beyond.

Grower Choice marketingMackay Sugar has written to its suppliers stating that, “Mackay

Sugar intends to remain with QSL and, together with Canegrowers and ACFA, will work with QSL to address supply issues created by the changing conditions within our sugar industry.”

“Growers should take comfort in this news – QSL provides growers with security around the marketing of their sugar, which ultimately creates greater stability within their farm businesses.”

This is a positive example of leadership and ‘getting on with it’, as the legislation does not interfere with farmers and mills making agreements – it simply provides a fallback when an agreement cannot be reached.

QSL constitution – Federal Court decisionThe Federal Court has handed down its decision in the

proceeding brought by Wilmar challenging the constitutional amendments that were passed at a general meeting of QSL members in December 2015.

QSL reports that “the Court ruled in favour of Wilmar, declaring that the resolution amending Article 31 of QSL’s Constitution (Appointment of Mill Owner Directors) passed on 8 December 2015 was oppressive to Wilmar in its capacity as a member of QSL.”

It is now up to discussions between QSL and the mills to resolve the situation.

Innovation in agricultureIn December 2015 Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull,

announced three initiatives for agriculture. The NFF has described the following initiatives;

“NFF’s new Online Platform aims to bring farmers, agribusiness professionals and consumers together in an engaging online platform designed to create value for farmers, agribusiness and consumers. Their objective is to deliver the most up-to-date food and agribusiness news, weather and market information; integrate best management practice; and provides member benefits, blogs, commentary, and the ability to magnify the industry’s voice using campaigns and live policy development.”

“NFF is collaborating with Accenture to develop and deliver new digital technologies and services, aiming to help Australia’s agriculture sector compete globally.”

“The new innovation hub for agricultural technologies, ‘Sprout’ will be a mechanism to identify, foster and promote the best new ideas in the food and agribusiness arena. The NFF and Crowe Horwath parent company, Findex, have assembled a highly skilled assessment panel, and are developing relationships with capital partners to provide agri-entrepreneurs with financial backing.”

These initiatives follow on the National Innovation and Science Agenda which is tasked with designing solutions to grow Australia’s economy and reduce our reliance on mining. Some of the areas which relate to agriculture are:

O Access to crowd-sourced equity funding; O Innovation in agriculture and regional areas; O Insolvency laws reform; O Inspiring a nation of scientists; O Maintaining world class research infrastructure; and, O Tax incentives for investors.The ‘Agenda’ notes that, “an estimated 75 per cent of jobs

in the fastest-growing industries require science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skilled workers, and ensuring students have the skills to equip them for the workforce of the future is critical.” It is particularly important for the future of Australia’s agriculture to attract and retain graduates by offering them development in their chosen field in the form of a secure career.

ASSCTThe sugar industry’s emerging technologies will soon come

under the spotlight when Mackay hosts the 38th annual Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists (ASSCT) Conference. Organised by ASSCT and Mackay Sugar, the three-day event will take place at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre from April 27–29. The event is themed ‘Emerging Technologies in a Global Industry’ and aims to help local farmers broaden their technological base to increase efficiencies and productivity within their cane farming business.

Sugar priceThe prompt contract and the harvest pool both returning

prices in the high $390s illustrates the importance of long-term hedging and Grower Choice when it comes to risk management opportunities for farmers. The subsidies of competitor industries continue to suppress the world sugar price and unless and until that is resolved, our best resources are in our pricing structures and intelligence. Stocks are predicted to close down in 2015–16 – let’s hope that this eventuates and drives up the price.

TradeIn December 2015, more than 160 member countries

of the World Trade Organisation agreed to remove export subsidies, which include direct payments, loans, tax breaks and other financial arrangements used by countries to support


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their exporters. If it happens, it will be a dream come true for Australian farmers who have suffered, unprotected for decades, against withering competition from the generous subsidies paid to our less efficient competitors. Achieving a level playing field would be a historic achievement, which is decades overdue and cannot come soon enough. But this development does not address the issues of domestic subsidies and market access, which remain at an impasse.

Rural debtThe Rural Debt Taskforce continues to go about its

work considering key issues and various policy options in the development of recommendations to the Queensland Government, including:

O The nature and extent of financial problems faced by agriculture associated enterprises, local government and supporting communities in Queensland.

O The cause of problems and contribution of established policy to their magnitude.

O The extent of such problems and effect on regional stability. O The adequacy of existing financial system to fund policy solutions.Queensland MP Rob Katter is urging Federal Agriculture

Minister Barnaby Joyce to expedite a $30 million commitment to establish a Multi-Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI) scheme.

The Federal Coalition’s Agricultural and Competitiveness White Paper pledged $30m to help implement a MPCI scheme which would be a sophisticated model to buffer agriculture against natural disasters and cycles of drought.

Red tape in agricultureCommonwealth Treasurer Scott Morrison has asked the

Productivity Commission to undertake an inquiry into the regulatory burden imposed on Australian farm businesses.

In November 2015, Minister Morrison remarked, “The Australian Government has identified the agriculture sector as one of the five pillars of the economy. It is promoting the economic potential of the sector by removing unnecessary regulatory burdens and promoting improved productivity and global competitiveness.”

“While regulation targets valid objectives, such as protecting consumers from unsafe food, protecting the environment or supporting the export of goods, poorly implemented and administered regulation and the cumulative impact of regulation can have adverse effects on farm businesses. It can unnecessarily restrict farm management decisions and reduce investment.”

“Inconsistent and overlapping regulations between jurisdictions can also create adverse effects and raise costs for farm businesses.”

Have truer words ever been spoken? It’s good to see the bureaucracy investigating the dismantling of bureaucracy!

Electricity pricesThe Queensland Productivity Commission (QPC) is undertaking

an inquiry into electricity prices in Queensland. The QPC released its 314-page Draft Report for Electricity Pricing Inquiry on 3 February 2016. The QPC invites all interested parties to make a written submission by March 11, 2016. In March and April 2016, the QPC will also provide stakeholders with an opportunity to discuss their views and ideas with us through public hearings.

The report states that, “since 2006–07 Queensland’s electricity prices have increased in real terms by 87 per cent. Queensland’s electricity price increases reflect the experience across Australia – Queensland’s average electricity prices are still amongst the lowest of the major states.”

“Queensland’s electricity price increases have largely been driven by escalating network costs, although the costs of the Solar Bonus Scheme (SBS) and the Australian Government’s Renewable Energy Target (RET) have also played a role.”

“In undertaking this Inquiry the Queensland Government asked us to consider a range of issues including the competitive electricity market, productivity growth, efficiency and reliability, environmental outcomes, vulnerable customers and responsible management of the State’s finances.”

Whatever the causes, the situation must be remedied if irrigated agriculture is to remain profitable. This inquiry is an opportunity for the Queensland Government to address this issue before sectors of Queensland agriculture are forced out of business.

On-farm diversificationThe success of the rekindled rice industry coupled with the

emergent industrial hemp industry as crops in rotation with sugarcane are positive stories for the potential to add to farmers’ profitability, break the pathogen cycle and improve soil health. A trial crop of sunflowers in the Mackay region has also shown promise.

R&DThe second National Sugarcane Industry RD&E Strategy is

underway with four rounds having been completed to date. Elsewhere in R&D, harvest losses continue to be an area of high interest and impact, with the potential to recoup lost income along the supply chain. Solving the YCS mystery is also a continuing key focus area for 2016. O


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Climate forecasting tools lift farm efficiencies

MACINTYRE Valley cotton farmer and agricultural consultant, Tony Taylor, is tapping into a growing suite of climate modelling and weather forecasting tools to

minimise production risk and fine tune his planting, irrigation and nutrient management decisions.

Powerful decision-making tools such as the Australian CliMate app and CottonInfo’s Moisture Manager have given him the chance to make big gains in on-farm efficiency, reduce farm inputs and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Tony said climate modelling information had become an essential part of his planning and decision-making process throughout the growing season.

“Climate has a huge influence on what my clients do and what I advise. The increased use of modelling and the convenience of using iPads allows us access to all the information all the time,” he said.

“We are looking at the models all the time. Is it an option to plant a particular crop? How much potential water is there? What is the risk associated with having a limited amount of water? We are more informed now because we have a lot more powerful information.”

Tony said one of his key references was CottonInfo’s fortnightly Moisture Manager e-newsletter which drew on leading weather models to provide the latest weather forecasts and predictions.

“They have a one-paragraph, snapshot summary which I find very informative. If you want to chase some more information


Agricultural consultant, Tony Taylor, uses a range of weather forecasting tools to minimise risk and fine tune farm management.

you can delve into the models. The fact that it gets emailed to you every fortnight is really powerful,” he said.

Tony also relies on the Australian CliMate app which utilises a suite of climate analysis tools and past climate records to provide information on the chance of climate events occurring and the status of soil moisture and nitrogen.

The app was developed under the Managing Climate Variability Program – a collaborative program which includes Sugar Research Australia and builds on Bureau of Meteorology data and the Silo database developed by the Queensland Government.

‘It is the culmination of a range of original modelling tools which allows you to look at forecast rainfall, the actual rainfall and the potential soil water holding capacity. You can combine them to see what your plant available water is at any one time,” he said.

“It also has some implications on mineralised nitrogen and is very accurate. When you get that information and go out into the field and do the ‘ground truth’ testing with moisture probes, it is very similar.

“Access to the latest climate data has allowed us to combine what we are seeing in the paddock with the budgeting and planning the grower wants. You marry the paddock information, the goals of the farmers and the information the latest models are showing you with the science behind it. You minimise the risk of having a failure.”

Driving higher yieldsTony said the ever-increasing accuracy of forecasting was

driving cotton yields higher by helping advisers and farmers apply better irrigation and nutrition practices.

“To get the top-end yield the plant has to be happy 100 per cent of the time. So the heatwave forecasting is particularly handy in summer for irrigated cotton,” he said.

“At the same time, modelling for the chance of rainfall is very handy. It is rarely now you would decide to do an irrigation without pulling up some information on the iPad looking at the forecast for rain and temperature. Half a day late or early with the irrigation, then suffering a heatwave or waterlogging event, can really knock your crop around. Every time we decide on an

irrigation we will look at the weather forecast and tweak the decision.”

Tony said a powerful component of the modelling was it allowed him to run different scenarios based on current stored soil moisture, predicted rainfall and crop nutrition levels.

“You can model a wet season, an average season or a dry season. It allows you to do some forecast yields which the growers are really receptive to because they can then judge for themselves what level of risk they want to expose themselves to,” he said.

“Also, if you do get a wet season, you need to resource the crop a lot more than average to achieve a top-end yield. Growers can see that and it makes them feel more comfortable about their decisions. Likewise, if they don’t have much soil moisture and it does turn dry, you can show them how lean the yields can potentially get.”

Increased efficienciesSuch ready access to climate forecasting data has increased

on-farm efficiencies and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by allowing growers to cut the number of machinery operations, more effectively schedule irrigations and fine-tune fertiliser applications.

Tony said it had led to a fundamental change in the way fertiliser was applied and crops were set up pre-plant.

“Historically in a dryland situation you would put a lot of fertiliser down in February, March and April. Now, if it has been dry and the models are saying it is going to remain dry, we don’t go and do that,” he said.

“We apply the fertiliser in-crop where it is more efficiently taken up and matches the crop demand. There is also less chance of it being leached or de-nitrified if you get a flood event. You don’t potentially lose the product.

“Likewise in an irrigated crop – instead of putting a heap of fertiliser up-front as we traditionally did, now we generally put one-third up-front and two-thirds in-crop. There is less exposure to the same losses as in the dryland system. And we are also matching the supply of nutrient with the crop demand, so the efficiencies are increased.”

Studies have shown improved nitrogen use can result in savings of 300 kg per hectare in CO², benefitting the environment and reducing the enterprise’s carbon footprint.

For more information:CliMate App – www.australianclimate.net.au andCottonInfo – www.cottoninfo.com.au O


The Australian CliMate app is a powerful decision-making tool.

CottonInfo’s Moisture Manager is a fortnightly e-newsletter.

MICROSCOPIC soil bacteria with anti-fungal properties are being put to the test as potential biocontrol agents in the war against some of the most costly diseases

affecting WA wheat and canola crops.Researchers from CSIRO Agriculture have identified strains

of soil-dwelling actinobacteria that appear to be effective at suppressing a range of fungal pathogens of wheat and canola.

These actinobacteria include antagonists against the diseases Fusarium crown rot, Pythium damping off, take-all root rot, Rhizoctonia hypocotyl rot and Sclerotinia stem rot that are estimated to cost the Australian grains and oilseed industries more than $250 million annually in lost production and control measures.

CSIRO Agriculture research scientist Dr Margaret Roper will outline the organisation’s major breakthroughs in investigations into actinobacteria at the upcoming Grains Research and Development Corporation’s (GRDC) Grains Research Update, Perth.

This event is being held at the Perth Convention and

Exhibition Centre on February 29 and March 1 and registrations can be made at: www.giwa.org.au/2016researchupdates

Margaret’s presentation to the Perth Update will outline the huge potential for development of actinobacteria as biocontrol agents that could be used as seed coats or foliar sprays on wheat and canola.

She said the exciting part of this research was that the promising isolates of the actinobacteria were discovered – already thriving – in WA soils on roots of wheat plants that were performing well in the face of high fungal disease pressure.

“This means they are already adapted to local conditions and we are also finding they readily take up residence in crop roots and are easy to culture and grow,” she said.

From about 300 isolates selected by the researchers, a small group of the bacteria was found to effectively suppress a range of soil and stubble-borne fungal disease pathogens in the laboratory.

Margaret said testing on small wheat plants in a glasshouse also identified two isolates that could reduce fungal disease


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The Australian sugarcane industry has a long history of dealing with damaging and expensive fungal diseases such as Smut, Orange and Sugarcane rust, Pachymetra root rot and not to mention a swag of other more minor diseases. Does this new approach to fungal disease control in grain crops on the west coast have application in cane crops on the east coast?

Tiny bugs tackle big crop disease problems

levels by 75–94 per cent, but further testing of plants grown to maturity – both in the glasshouse and in the field – was required.

She said, if successful in the paddock, the use of actinobacteria as biological control agents applied as a seed coat might become an integral part of integrated fungal disease management in WA in the future.

“This might also provide a quicker solution to combatting disease than breeding disease-resistant wheat and canola varieties,” she said.

“The incidence of some fungal diseases is rapidly increasing in WA, especially Fusarium crown rot of wheat and Sclerotinia stem rot of canola.

“With no – or limited – host plant resistance available and disease management strategies difficult to implement, novel and

broad-spectrum control approaches are needed.“To date, fungicides used as seed dressings and foliar sprays

provide variable protection depending on the pathogen and timing of application.

“And in WA, pathogens can grow and survive in stubble or on the roots of summer weeds and act as a source of infection in the following crop.”

Margaret said to be considered successful, any potential actinobacteria biocontrol agents must suppress the fungal disease effectively, survive either in the plant tissues or within the rhizoplane of growing plants and be easy to culture and inoculate on to plants to allow for realistic application methods in the field.

Contact Dr Margaret Roper, CSIRO E. [email protected] O


Microscopic soil-dwelling actinobacteria are showing promise as biocontrol agents for wheat and canola diseases. (PHOTO: CSIRO)

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THE February 16 ABC Online article by Josie Taylor and subsequent reporting on local councils’ continued use of herbicides that contain the active ingredient glyphosate,

has several serious factual inaccuracies and is misleading in regard to the context of the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s (IARC) Report. It also omits pertinent information such as the fact that all glyphosate products have been extensively and independently assessed by regulators in the US, Canada, Australia and Europe and found to be safe.

More recent findings have concluded that glyphosate is unlikely to pose even a carcinogenic hazard let alone an actual risk. Such inaccuracies could have been avoided if the original article was properly fact checked or at least a credible alternative view sought.

The article fails to mention the recent European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) peer review that concluded glyphosate is unlikely to pose a carcinogenic hazard to humans and the evidence does not support classification with regard to its carcinogenic potential.

Josie’s article and subsequent radio and television reports seemed more concerned with misleading sensationalised fear mongering than providing correct and useful information to the Australian public. The serious lack of a credible foundation in the article was demonstrated yesterday afternoon in the television interview with Professor Bernard Stewart when he highlighted the complete lack of any basis for both the tone and content of Josie Taylor’s original and subsequent reports.

An article that simply regurgitates false activist propaganda against overwhelming independent global scientific analysis is irresponsible and effectively misleads consumers. The fact that the association of those interviewed in the piece with activist organisations was not reported in the article also raises serious questions over the professionalism of the reporting

The IARC is one of four programs within the World Health Organization (WHO) that have reviewed the safety of glyphosate. Two of the four WHO programs – the Core Assessment Group and the International Programme on Chemical Safety – both concluded glyphosate is not carcinogenic. The WHO Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality program concluded glyphosate does not represent a hazard to human health.

The reason for this is that the IARC report is not a risk assessment; it very narrowly determines the potential for a specific compound to cause cancer under some circumstances, even if those circumstances are unlikely to occur. The pre-amble to the final complete scientific monograph report goes to some length to specifically highlight this point after the original misrepresentation and misreporting of their interim report.

Coffee, aloe vera, night shifts and hairdressing probably cancer-causing

For example, working the night shift or being a hairdresser are classified as probably cancer-causing, the same as glyphosate, because one job disrupts the body’s circadian rhythms and

the other involves exposure to dyes. Coffee and aloe vera are ‘possible’ carcinogens according to the IARC list.

IARC acknowledges that its work can be easily misunderstood by those without scientific qualifications and tried to correct the record following the classification of glyphosate. That is why the IARC made a particular effort to state in the Monograph pre-amble: “The Monographs are an exercise in evaluating cancer hazards, despite the historical presence of the word ‘risks’ in the title. The distinction between hazard and risk is important.”

All agricultural chemical products undertake a chemical risk assessment that includes an exposure assessment to ensure their safety for human health and the environment. This process assesses in detail the likely exposure of humans, users and members of the public, and environmental organisms and takes into account how the chemical product is to be used, the type and formulation of the product, and the crops or animals to be treated. Any new research findings may also trigger a review by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, as it should in an independent, scientific and evidence-based regulatory system.

Globally, and in Australia, the registration process of all pesticides involves years of data collection and comprehensive assessment before approvals are granted and a product can be sold on the Australian market.

It’s crucial that news reporting on technical, scientific information is accurate, factual and not driven by activists’ misplaced political agendas.

Drawn from a statement by Mr Matthew Cossey, Chief Executive Officer of CropLife Australia O


WEEDS FEATURE

CropLife Australia, the peak industry organisation representing the agricultural chemical and biotechnology (plant science) sector in Australia, issued a response to the recent ABC report on the use of glyphosate by local councils.

Was ABC reporting on glyphosate misleading and irresponsible?

CropLife Australia’s Matthew Cossey.

PART of the debate surrounding glyphosate-resistant (GR) crops suggests that the implementation of these traits will further erode the biodiversity of agricultural landscapes.

The commercialisation of glyphosate-resistant crops beginning in 1996 in the United States has allowed the widespread use of glyphosate as a weed control strategy in cotton, corn, and soybean production systems.

As a result, US growers have reported a perceived reduction in weed pressure in several cropping systems, especially no-tillage.

The introduction of glyphosate as an alternative herbicide mode of action has also been credited with mitigating problems associated with weed populations resistant to the acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibiting and protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibiting herbicides.

GR crops and biodiversityA significant volume of research has investigated the

influence of planting GR crops on the biodiversity of both plants and animals, in agricultural systems. The premise for the studies has been the connection between biological diversity in the ecosystem and the impact on sustainability. Some

research arguments have suggested that agricultural practices that promote greater weed diversity should be regarded as a progressive step towards the development of greater agricultural sustainability.

But there is no conclusive evidence that GR crops have a greater effect on biodiversity in agricultural fields compared with non-GR crops. Biodiversity depends on several factors, including the cropping system, weed management tactics, the specific GR crop, geography, and individual grower tactics.

GR crops and shifting weed communitiesThere are still only a limited number of studies that have

examined shifts in weed communities under GR cropping systems. Importantly, most of the studies are not conducted at a scale to provide a reasonable representation of the impacts of production agriculture.

A specific genetic crop trait such as glyphosate resistance has never been documented to directly impact weed communities. Rather, the specific crop management tactics enabled by the crop trait can lead to weed community shifts.

Diversifying crop management systems can be an effective weed management tool to reduce weed density by limiting the dominance of some species. Varying crop management systems can reduce weed species diversity because such practices allow for more consistent and grower-responsive weed control tactics.

Soil seedbank reservoirThe soil seedbank provides a reservoir of weed seeds available

for the future colonisation of an agricultural field under suitable conditions. Because of seed dormancy and viability longevity, build up of the seeds of problematic weeds can occur.

While annual management practices will readily alter the aboveground weed flora, the soil seedbank is typically slower to respond because of the inherent buffering capacity with seeds present from multiple seasons of seed rains. The importance of the soil seedbank on the future weed management challenges makes it imperative to determine the extent to which the soil seedbank reflects regional patterns of plant abundance or local effects such as the cropping system – particularly the implementation of GR cropping systems.

Managed pasturesOutside of row cropping systems, glyphosate applications can

cause dramatic shifts in the seedbank composition of managed pastures. Based upon the results of surveying the emerged weeds in these fields we expected the weed flora in the soil seedbank across broad regions of the US in agricultural fields to show a signal in response to the rotation of GR traits and crops.

We set out to test the following hypothesis: the impact of using the GE crop trait for glyphosate resistance on the weed soil seedbank is dependent on cropping system and geography.

The field studyA large field-scale study was initiated in 2006 in the US on

156 different field sites with a minimum three year history of GR-corn, cotton or soybean in the cropping system. The impact


WEEDS FEATURE

What about weed diversity with glyphosate-resistant crops?




















of cropping system, crop rotation, frequency of using the GR crop trait, and several categorical variables on seedbank weed population density and diversity was analysed.

Study sitesA research protocol was outlined that included 156

commercial field sites across six US states in corn, cotton, and soybean production with a minimum three year field history of the following cropping systems:

O A single continuous GR crop; O A rotation of two GR crops; and, O A GR crop rotated with a non-GR crop.

Conclusions:Following data collection and analysis (see paper for details)

the following conclusions were reached. O The parameters of total weed population density of all species in the seedbank were not affected by any management treatment. The similarity between the seedbank and aboveground weed community was more strongly related to location than management; previous year’s crops and cropping systems were also important while GR trait rotation was not.

O The composition of the weed flora was more strongly related to location (geography) than any other parameter. The diversity of weed flora in agricultural sites with a history of GR crop production can be influenced by several factors relating to the specific method in which the GR trait is integrated

(cropping system, crop rotation, GR trait rotation), the specific weed species, and the geographical location.

O Continuous GR crop, compared to fields with other cropping systems, only had greater species diversity (species richness) of some life forms, such as biennials, winter annuals, and prostrate weeds.

O Overall diversity was related to geography and not cropping system.

O The method in which a grower integrates the GR technology (varying cultural and mechanical weed management tactics; diversity of herbicide modes of action, application timings, and frequency of glyphosate use; rotation of crops or the GR crop trait) into a cropping system and manages weeds with other tactics determines the diversity of agricultural weeds and their prevalence in the soil seedbank.

Drawn from the paper: Seedbank and Field Emergence of Weeds in Glyphosate-Resistant Cropping Systems in the US published in: Weed Science 63, April–June 2015:425–439

Authors: Lauren M. Schwartz, David J. Gibson, Karla L. Gage, Joseph L. Matthews, David L. Jordan, Micheal D. K. Owen, David R. Shaw, Stephen C. Weller, Robert G. Wilson, and Bryan G. Young*.

* This work saw Bryan G. Young receive the 2016 Outstanding Paper Award, Weed Science from the Weed Science Society of America.

For more information: E. [email protected] O


Bryan G. Young, Associate Professor, Botany and Plant Biology, Purdue University.

WEEDS FEATURE

www.the-gate.com.au

The LABOUR PLACEMENT division of The-Gate is essentially a service introducing Australian farmers needing short-term skilled labour, to keen and experienced young workers with farming backgrounds.

The-Gate offers a pool of skilled international farm workers with header and other large machinery experience.So to get the ball rolling on solving your short-term labour needs,

go to www.the-gate.com.au and register (for free) on The-Gate’s database or contact Catherine on 0408 717 459

Helping you access short term, skilled labour now

PLANT biologists at The University of Western Australia have discovered that the commonly used antibiotic ciprofloxacin, which kills bacteria, also kills plants by blocking the DNA

copying machinery of the plants.The research, which was published recently in The Journal of

Biological Chemistry, is a collaboration between UWA researchers and Professor Tony Maxwell from the John Innes Centre in the UK.

The work at UWA was carried out by graduate research assistant Julie Leroux and Dr Joshua Mylne, a Future Fellow in UWA’s School of Chemistry & Biochemistry and affiliated to the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology.

Possible new mode of actionJoshua said the researchers found a plant that could grow on

ciprofloxacin and by working out which gene mutation enabled this, could prove how the antibiotic killed plants.

“This could be the starting point for making a completely new herbicide,” he said.

“The DNA copying machinery in plants and microbes have similarities, but also differences that could be exploited.

“The machinery that ciprofloxacin affects is not currently targeted by known herbicides, making this an untried mode of action to focus on.”

Joshua said the UWA research team’s contribution was to provide the plant proof that the mutated gene was responsible for its ability to grow on ciprofloxacin.

This work built on prior knowledge from Professor Maxwell’s lab that the enzyme DNA gyrase (part of the DNA copying machinery) is made in plants and is essential in plant growth and development.

By generating mutations in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and finding one plant that is resistant to the antibiotic ciprofloxacin and analysing its genome, the team confirmed that DNA gyrase in plants can be targeted effectively by this antibiotic.

“We envision changing ciprofloxacin in ways that will stop it from being an antibiotic, while improving its suitability as an herbicide,” Joshua said.

Contact: Dr Joshua Mylne (School of Chemistry & Biochemistry) P: 08 6488 4415 M: 0458 490 905 O


WEEDS FEATURE

Common antibiotic inspires hunt for a new herbicide

Normal Arabidopsis thaliana and the ciprofloxacin resistant mutant growing on a graded range of ciprofloxacin concentrations.

Dr Joshua Mylne, a Future Fellow in UWA’s School of Chemistry & Biochemistry.

Julie Leroux, Graduate research assistant at UWA.

Professor Tony Maxwell from the John Innes Centre in the UK.

CASE IH led global development of track technology back in the early 1990s, releasing the first tracked tractor nearly 20 years ago.

From that first 9370 Steiger Quadtrac, track technology is now incorporated across numerous Case IH tractor and combine models, including Steiger Quadtrac, Steiger Rowtrac, Axial-Flow combines and the Magnum Rowtrac family that Case IH launched in 2015.

With harvest over for another year and farmers and contractors starting to plan their machinery investments for 2016, Bruce Healy, Case IH Brand Leader – Australia, said equipment featuring track technology, including a combination of tracks and tyres, is becoming increasingly popular.

“Case IH developed the idea of using tracks as a way of putting more power to the ground and eliminating power hop, improving traction and leaving no berms.

“Uptake has been strong, as producers worldwide with soil conditions needing better flotation have taken advantage of the many benefits.”

As well as very effectively protecting the soil, track technology gives the operator improved control of the tractor or combine.

Case IH has continued to improve the technology, with specific drivelines and an exclusive undercarriage system to handle the power and torque of tracks.

“Additionally our dealer network is extremely experienced in servicing tracked machines, having done it for nearly two decades. People should never underestimate the value of having dealer service staff who can ensure machines are running to their full potential whenever they are needed.

Case IH has developed track technology to suit a variety of farming enterprises in Australia – from sugarcane growers in far north Queensland, to wheat farmers spanning Victoria’s Mallee

and throughout Western Australia, through to cotton producers in New South Wales.

Steiger Quadtrac and Rowtrac models have a four-track system – with four individually driven, oscillating tracks – ensuring maximum manoeuvrability while increasing traction and reducing compaction and soil disturbance. The track-wheel combination in Magnum Rowtrac models gives farmers row-crop flexibility.

Pete McCann, Product Manager for Case IH High Horsepower, says tracks are becoming more popular as farmers realise their benefits.

“Today’s designs have come a long way since the steam tractor with ‘dreadnaught


Case IH – a history of track innovation

FROM THIS: In 1992 Case IH put the Quadtrac concept forward at the Farm Progress Show in Columbus, Indiana – it was an immediate hit with the farmers who drove the tractor!

Modern Machinery

Mattersis proudly supported by

wheels’, or tracks, in the mid 1800s. These days, tractors with tracks are highly manoeuvrable, offer excellent traction and are very effective at protecting the soil.”

Because tracks have a greater contact area with the ground, they place even pressure on the soil, conform to contours and minimise compaction. They are also better suited to changing windows for planting, seeding and harvesting, because they can help farmers get on the paddock earlier.

“When choosing your tracked machine, it’s ideal to have four

points of contact on the ground – whether that’s by a four-track system or a rear twin-track with tyres – it significantly reduces the berming effect produced by a stand-alone twin track system. Berms are good for landscaping your garden, but not in a paddock.”

For more information talk to your local Case IH dealer or visit www.caseih.com O


TO THIS: The Case IH track evolution has delivered the Steiger Quadtrac 600.

AND THIS: The Case IH Rowtrac 380 rear twin-track with tyres.

CASE IH YOUNG FARMER OF THE YEAR CONCERNED BY CSIRO CUTS

In the October/November 2015 issue we reported that New South Wales sheep farmer Anika Molesworth had been crowned the 2015 Case IH Young Farmer of the Year at the Kondinin Group-ABC Rural Australian Farmer of the Year Awards in Sydney.

In an interview reported in the Riverine Herald, Anika has warned that the recently announced severe budgetary cuts at the CSIRO would make it harder for the agricultural industry to plan and cope with climate change impacts.

“The sad reality is that many of the regions already grappling with drought are expected to become hotter and drier. We know this because our leading scientists have the ability to forecast and forewarn. These early warning systems give farmers the upper-hand, by equipping them with the knowledge needed to make well-informed decisions,” Anika said.

Anika believes more, not less, knowledge and resources were needed in order for Australian farmers to stay productive and competitive.

“We cannot tackle the challenges of farming in the 21st century with 20th century practices and technologies alone. We must continually seek to improve our knowledge of the world, and to improve the ways in which we interact with it, if we want to keep providing the food and fibre required. Scientists help us do this.”

Case IH Young Farmer of the Year believes more, not less, knowledge and resources are needed to ensure Australian farmers to stay productive and competitive.Reduced compaction and high manoeuvrability can both be

achieved with new track technology, says Pete McCann.

http://www.caseih.com

NextGen Farmer 1

Issue 18

2 NextGen Farmer

EditorialBy Stephen Ryan

Next Gen Officer for the industry, Gerard Puglisi, has started his journey in Northern NSW and

is working his way North to Mossman. Next Gen is an inclusive, industry-wide program for all young and aspiring industry participants, across all sectors and regions of the industry. Gerard is always happy to meet any new young people and also the young at heart. You can reach Gerard on 0412 417 717 or [email protected].

In this issue we also welcome the new Next Gen representative for New South Wales. Tracey Doherty has very kindly agreed to undertake this role – this is amidst her managerial duties at Richmond River Cane Growers and the raising of her two daughters.

This sort of multi-tasking is very much a fact of life for all in Next Gen – and I’m sure you wouldn’t want it any other way!

Living and farming sustainably is identified as a core element in gaining the general public’s trust and support in the “Young Farmers are the Future” article on page 4. Bevan Clarke, a fourth generation grain farmer from Western Australia, believes that young farmers are always concentrating on working sustainably because they want to pass the farm on to their next generation. And if they don’t look after their land, their children won’t be able to either.

And nearer to home, we hear from Adam McVeigh, a 2015 Nuffield Award winner, who is able to spread his efforts across several scattered irrigation operations around Dalby using advanced technology. Adam says the challenge for young people entering agriculture is to harness the technology available and turn it into productivity.

Best of luck with the coming season and remember that if you have recently caught sight of a colourful Captiva it could well of contained Gerard carving up the kilometres on his way to Cairns! With that image in mind I will say goodbye to you – and the alliteration! n

Next Gen Farmer GPO Box 608, Brisbane QLD 4001 Tel: (07) 3839 1900 Fax: (07) 3839 1911 E: [email protected]

Delivery address: Level 3, 447 Upper Edward Street Spring Hill, Brisbane QLD 4000

Editor: Stephen Ryan Administration: Alicia Opajdowska Next Gen Officer: Gerard Puglisi

Mob: 0412 417 717 E: [email protected]

Next Gen Farmer, Issue 18 Published FEBRUARY 2016 ISN 2201-7240

The Australian Cane Famers Association (ACFA) produces Next Gen Farmer. Views expressed within are not necessarily those of the ACFA.

FRONT COVER: Tracey Doherty the new Next Gen rep for NSW with daughters Emilee and Olivia – a next gen all of her own!

ContentsEditorial 2Meet the new Next Gen rep for NSW 3 Step Up Next Gen Burdekin update 3 Young farmers are the future 4Harness the technology and turn it into productivity 6QSL Update – 2015 season advances 7QSL – Making it easy to stay in the loop! 8Next Gen contacts 8

Thank you to our partners

NextGen Farmer 3

Tracey is very accepting of the fact that there are times when having a companion animal does little to lighten the load!

Meet the new Next Gen rep for NSWHi, my name is Tracey Doherty. I am 37 years old and I

am married with two daughters – Emilee who is nine and Olivia who is six. I am a local Lismore girl. I have

worked in many different areas including childcare, nursing, hospitality and telecommunications. In 2006 I started my own business offering admin, bookkeeping and business support to small businesses in the local area.

In 2009 I was offered an opportunity to manage a local “Not for Profit” that offered Health and Well Being programs in aboriginal communities between Coffs Harbour and Tweed Heads. Other programs included Aboriginal Cultural Training and Cultural Safety Training for many local industries.

In 2014 I found myself job hunting again – I was delighted to be offered an opportunity to work with Richmond River Cane Growers Association in NSW for a short period. The Board of Directors then offered me the Management Role in early 2015.

2015 was certainly a year of steep learning curves (I have enjoyed every one of them) – I look forward to further learning experiences going forward and the chance to promote the great opportunities that the cane industry offers in this area.

I am particularly looking forward to continuing to work with our young farmers as they are our future. If I can assist in any way please contact me at Richmond River Cane Growers Association: M: 0455 107 792; E: [email protected] or via Facebook: www.facebook.com/richmondcane n

Step Up Next Gen Burdekin updateThe Burdekin Young Growers group had a breakfast

meeting with speakers Simon Mattsson and Bryan Granshaw.

Simon talked about his Marian farm which is on a two metre controlled traffic farming system and the management strategies he has adopted to improve his soil health. These included inter-row cropping and mixed species fallows.

Bryan discussed precision agriculture and how soil testing and soil mapping technologies can be used to identify and manage soil limitations to plant growth.

The group would like to thank BPS and NQ Dry Tropics for contributing to the event. If you would like to be a part of the group’s future activities or have topics of interest you would like to hear about please let Tiffany know on 0447 069 887 or contact the BPS office. n

Breakfast with the stars at Burdekin Young Growers meeting – Bryan Granshaw (2012 Nuffield Scholar) and Simon Mattson (2014 Nuffield Scholar) shared their on-farm and over-seas experiences with precision agriculture and improving soil health.

4 NextGen Farmer

Three little boys named Oliver, Noah and Mason play in a vast Western Australian wheat field. Their eyes radiate a happy childhood. Now and again the children take a

break and curiously watch their father and grandfather at work. Very likely, these boys will one day follow in their footsteps and hopefully become part of the next farming generation.

It will be important – the average age of farmers in Australia, the EU, Brazil and the US ranges around 50 and older. But due to the world’s expanding but aging population, more farmers will be needed to ensure the food security of almost ten billion people expected by 2050 – new blood is critical.

The boys’ father, Bevan Clarke, is a fourth generation farmer in Bolgart, Western Australia. His goal is to pass on the farm to his children in the most sustainable manner imaginable: “Sustainability to me means having this farm go on forever. For this to come true, I must leave the land in a better condition than it was in when I inherited it.”

Clarke would be very pleased if his children took over the family business some day but the 31-year-old farmer also looks

at it realistically: “It would be great if my children came back here, but I won’t force them to. It is a job that you have to love. Farming is not for everyone.”

Seventh-generation farmer Corbin Schuster from Freeling, South Australia, shares this perception. He also has the impression that a lot of young Australians prefer a city job instead: “People in the cities work from nine to five. Their income is stable. They can go home on the weekends and go out at night.” Compared to a city job, farming is the opposite: “On some days you work sixteen hours, on other days you work less than that. This keeps many young people from wanting to start their own agribusiness,” says Schuster. Yet he also knows exactly what makes it worthwhile to become a farmer anyway: “People always need good food to eat. It is our job to produce the best food we can. And if you work hard and are innovative, you’ll be financially rewarded.”Digital connection

Apart from face-to-face dialogue t ools, the young farming generation also encounters misconceptions virtually by making active use of social media. Sam Trethewey, a 31-year old MBA student from a multi-generational Australian farming family, encourages young farmers to use social media as a public relations platform: “There are activist groups that heavily confront Australian agriculture in the virtual world. In some cases, even real battles rage online. Social media channels can help the young farming generation to identify and react to accusations. But Australian farmers want people to know that they provide great food.

“So Facebook and Twitter are great tools to counteract some of this negative messaging, such as prejudice against genetically modified food,” adds Trethewey. Over in Southern Australia, his colleague Corbin Schuster also makes use of social media to interact with the broader public. From his perspective, it is important for farmers to be open and

Young farmers across the globe have taken up the challenge of continuing their family agribusiness. To be successful, this generation also applies clever strategies to counter misconceptions, generate society’s trust and stay connected.

Young farmers are the future

Neville, Bevan and Oliver Clarke (from left) represent a three-generation farming family.

Social media activity of farmers across the globe

NextGen Farmer 5

transparent: “Consumers have become a lot more aware of where their food comes from,” he says.

They want farmers to be food producers but they also want them to manage the land responsibly and look after the immediate environment. “I think we’ve already been successful

with our initiatives because people are starting to realise that farming and food production is an essential part of society,” Schuster continues.

To him, social media is also a convenient tool to network with other young farmers: “Facebook is becoming a large part of every-day farming life. With it, we can also solve problems revolving around the use of new machinery faster and develop better solutions to improve our farms.”

Another very important networking organisation for young farmers in Australia is the Future Farmers Network (FFN). “Australia is an incredibly large country with a very small population and the FFN brings people from different agricultural backgrounds closer together,” explains Trethewey, who is also a board member of the FFN.

People from urban cities like Brisbane working in agricultural banking can meet farmers from the countryside and exchange views. “It is important for everyone’s careers to build these contacts throughout various parts of the industry. In this way they can learn more and benefit from each other’s competences,” Trethewey adds.Sustainable future

Looking ahead, young farmers will become increasingly crucial in securing the global food supply. Despite this responsible task, they’ll have to continue to defend their farming practices vis-à-vis critical voices. Through the use of innovative approaches like social media and public relation initiatives the young farming generation has already created new ways to promote their profession and gain public acceptance.

Farming sustainably has become apparent as a core element in gaining the public’s trust. Bevan Clarke: “Young farmers are always concentrating on working sustainably because they want to pass the farm on to the next generation. If we don’t look after our land, our children won’t be able to either. We are intrinsically focused on sustainable practices as are a growing number of consumers in the cities. So actually, we are all on the same page.”Drawn from “Farming´s Future” – Bayer CropScience.

For more information: www.cropscience.bayer.com/en/Publications/Farmings-Future.aspx n

31-year-old MBA student and Queenslander, Sam Trethewey was born into a farming family and continues to work in the field of agriculture by encouraging industry and farmers to use outward communication platforms.

55+ farmers age USA and EU98.5% of off farm population can be

reached through social media

6 NextGen Farmer

Adam McVeigh was a 2015 Nuffield Scholarship winner.

From Dalby in Queensland, Adam is an irrigated and dryland producer, cropping cotton, corn, sorghum, barley, wheat and occasionally mungbeans and chickpeas.

His chosen area of research was achieving sustainable high yields from continuous double cropping with overhead irrigation.

The inspiration behind Adam’s study topic came from his experiences with both drought and flood over the past 12 years.

“Irrigated cropping can be very profitable, however in dry years when water is limited or simply not available, the cost of maintaining infrastructure and servicing debt can be financially crippling.

When water is plentiful it then becomes necessary to extract maximum value out of the irrigation infrastructure,” he explains.

Adam is looking at growing two crops each year in the same irrigated paddock, with a focus on achieving maximum return per hectare in a situation where water is not limited.

“My property ‘Mondure Homestead’ has been completely flooded twice over the past four seasons which has steered

me away from focusing on a sole irrigated summer crop each season.

I have been growing both a winter grain (wheat or barley) and then following up with a late (around Christmas) planted summer grain (corn or sorghum) all in the same center pivot-irrigated paddock,” he says.

Adam will research nutrition, irrigation scheduling, water infiltration, machinery configuration, trash management and seasonal timing to improve his crop rotation.Expansion facilitated by advanced technology

With limited opportunities to buy neighbouring farms, expansion meant looking further afield and using advanced technology to manage from offsite – centre pivots can be monitored and controlled at a number of different locations via his smart phone.

Speaking recently to Queensland Country Life reporter Lucy Ziesemer, Adam said the challenge for young people entering agriculture was to harness the technology available and turn it into productivity via such things as cash flow management and forward planning.

Adam acknowledged that no amount of modern technology can prevent extreme weather conditions so financial resilience and preparedness were crucial.

“It’s about managing the good years wisely so when the tough years roll around your business will survive to plant another crop,” he said.For more information: E: [email protected]; M: 0427 635 209. n

www.the-gate.com.au





Harness the technology and turn it into productivity

Adam McVeigh, Dalby, urges young farmers to harness the technology and turn it into productivity.

NextGen Farmer 7

QSL’s Advance Payment system is designed to provide

cash flow to Queensland cane growers both in and out of the harvest season by paying supplying millers in regular instalments throughout the entire year. Millers then pass these payments on to their growers through agreed local payment arrangements.

The ‘Advances’ program reflects the fact that QSL pays its supplying millers in advance of receiving revenue from customers for raw sugar sales.

For example, sugar produced in August may not be delivered to customers and subsequently paid for until the following February. But QSL borrows funds in order to pay the miller in August, and subsequently carries that debt until the customer eventually pays for the sugar when they receive it in February.What’s ‘mark-to-market’?

QSL uses ‘mark-to-market’ values to determine a pool’s estimated value using a combination of a pool’s actual pricing and an estimate of the value of pricing that remains to be undertaken across the remaining months of the current season.Example:

If 22 per cent of a pool is still to be priced, QSL would value this portion of the pool at whatever the spot sugar price is on an assigned day, usually the final day of the month prior to payment. If the market moves up or down, there is a possibility remaining pricing may be done at a higher or lower rate, and that the indicative pool price and the subsequent final results may also increase or decrease. However the pool’s final value won’t be known until all pool marketing and pricing activities are finalised in July.

Current market impact on advancesDuring recent months the ICE 11 market has experienced

considerable volatility, despite a generally optimistic view that the world is moving towards a more balanced raw sugar production/consumption dynamic and improved prices.

It’s important to note that although QSL pools are well-priced at this time of the year, QSL still has four months to complete our pool pricing and as such the mark-to-market values used to determine our current indicative pool prices reflect recent low ICE 11 prices. This means QSL’s 2015 Indicative Pool Prices have reduced in recent months and Advance payments based on these have also decreased accordingly. Growers conducting individual grower pricing will have also noticed that the Advance rates based on their pricing may also have fallen, as many growers have avoided pricing at recent prices.Can’t QSL just increase grower Advances to offset these lower values?

Yes - but any move to increase the Advance payment needs to be balanced against the risk of possibly overpaying growers, especially if the market continues to weaken in the remaining months of the season. The potential for QSL to overpay growers is just one of the factors the QSL Board considers when it reviews the indicative Advances rates each month. Other considerations include:

n QSL’s expected cash flow from shipments of raw sugar to customers;

n The expected rates of deliveries from Suppliers to bulk sugar terminals;

n The margin calls QSL may need to pay on forward pricing; and.

n QSL’s available borrowing facilities.For full details of how much remains to be priced in each

QSL Pool and an estimate of how future movements in the ICE 11 and our exchange rate could change the final value of each pool check out the individual pool matrices on the QSL website. n

2015 season advancesBy Bryce Wenham, QSL Finance Manager – Supplier Relations

Bryce Wenham, QSL Finance Manager – Supplier Relations.

8 NextGen Farmer

Gerard Puglisi Next Gen Officer 0412 417 717 [email protected]

Gerard Padovan Mossman Rep 0416 034 953 [email protected]

Erik D’Uros Innisfail Rep 0428 247 405 [email protected]

Carl Menzel Burdekin Rep 0427 773 344 [email protected]

Hayden Quabba Mackay Rep 0400 266 012 [email protected]

Phil Deguara Mackay Rep 0417 796 468 [email protected]

Gavin Lerch Bundaberg/Isis Rep 0418 798 225 [email protected]

Josh Buchbach Bundaberg/Isis Rep 0427 559 095 [email protected]

Sam Mischke Rocky Point Rep 0423 399 281 [email protected]

Tracey Doherty NSW Rep 0455 107 792 [email protected]

Next Gen HQ (07) 3839 1900 [email protected] GPO Box 608, Brisbane, Q 4001Ne

xt G

en c

onta

cts

It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the unrelenting pace of the world raw sugar market and its implications for Australian cane farmers. In an effort to save growers time while still keeping them up to date, QSL provides a range of free services designed to share the insights of our market experts in a way that suits your needs.Free text message service:For those who want to keep things short and sweet, QSL provides a free SMS service. This service sends subscribers a text message each weekday morning featuring:• The ICE 11 Prompt Price: Where the ICE 11 raw

sugar futures market settled overnight for the prompt contract.

• The AUD/USD Spot Price: The current US dollar-Australian dollar spot exchange rate used to convert the ICE 11 price into an Australian dollar IPS value.

• The AUD/MT IPS Price: The latest bank Over-the-Counter (OTC) commodity swap price adjusted to an IPS value for the prompt contract. This also incorporates an estimate of the margin a bank charges for any OTC commodity swap.

• A link to QSL’s Indicative Prices: For those seeking more detail on ICE 11 prices.

To register for this service, just click on the Sign up for Daily Price SMS button at the bottom of any page on our website – www.qsl.com.auDaily price updateThis snapshot is supplemented by the detailed Daily Market Reports and Indicative Prices information featured in the Sugar Prices section of our website.It’s important to remember that because the ICE11 futures market (based in New York) generally trades outside Queensland working hours, all of the values provided

in QSL’s Daily Price updates are indicative only and are generally updated at the start of each business day (Queensland time). So if the Australian dollar fluctuates during the day, the indicative prices quoted may become out of date. As such, growers using this information when making decisions about forward pricing targets should check how the Australian dollar may have moved during the day before placing their order.Your final sugar price can also be affected by additional charges, such as mill administration fees, other local costs or the outcomes of your miller’s domestic sales of raw sugar. Please contact your local miller for details of these. QSL itself does not charge fees for its services, with all QSL operating costs included in the QSL Shared Pool.Keeping in the loop!QSL also issues weekly email updates covering the latest general QSL news and information, including current indicative pool prices. To sign up for these, visit www.qsl.com.au and click the Sign up for e-news button at the bottom of the page.This column is intended to provide a high-level description about some complex concepts relating to sugar marketing and pricing. As such, the information is of a summary/simplified nature and does not cover every aspect of the relevant concepts. The information should not be relied on to make marketing/pricing decisions and it does not constitute financial product or investment advice.

For more information contact Cathy Kelly and Carla Keith, QSL Industry Relationship Managers [email protected], [email protected]

QSL – Making it easy to stay in the loop!

Carla Keith.Cathy Kelly.

mailto:[email protected]

IT’S taken 15 years, but Flinders Ranges Premium Grain (FRPG) in South Australia is riding an export boom for their flour made from low-yield hard wheat called Katana.The Ranges’ low rainfall and limestone rich soil give their

specialised wheat an elastic protein profile that gives it an extended frozen shelf life without the inclusion of preservatives or additives. This has made it popular among frozen dough producers in India and the Middle East as well as artisan bread producers in Australia.

“We knew that doing well as a business meant moving away from producing a soft commodity where we were at the wrong end of the pricing chain,” says FRPG CEO Peter Barrie.

“We looked at what food producers in different markets required as well as what our four family-run properties in the Flinders Ranges could best produce. We started experimenting with hard wheat. While not as high yield as many grains, the elastic, high protein qualities of the grains opened up premium markets to us – abroad and at home.”

Understand your product’s role in the food industry

Ongoing research and development (R&D) is a hallmark of FPRG’s business strategy. From early on, they formed a solid relationship with Adelaide TAFE to test how the flour grown on their farms performed for different segments of the food industry.

“Discovering how our wheat performed as a baking ingredient led us to identify our niche export market,” says Peter. “Once we knew what we needed to provide to frozen dough producers, we continued testing wheat varieties until we found our best for purpose grain.”

This emphasis on R&D coupled with ‘paddock-to-plate’ traceability helped FRPG secure the Bakers Circle India and the Middle East contracts to supply the flour for frozen dough for the regions’ Subway stores.

Even with the Indian contract well established, Peter still travels to India, and now Dubai, to check how his flour performs within its production environment and as an end product in the local Subway stores. “It’s satisfying being part of the whole production process in all these different places,” he adds.

Consistent quality demands full traceabilityQuality, consistency and traceability are equally important for

FRPG’s large overseas clients. The company has a fully auditable path from farm to shipping that guarantees the clean and green standards of their produce. This traceability involves having their own storage silos and mill, so there is no risk of contamination with inferior grain from other farms.

Australia’s reputation as clean and green is a big drawcard internationally. The National Residue Testing Standards are a good base. But Peter points out that most countries and big foodmanufacturers have their own strict standards. This makes meeting individual customer protocols time-consuming.

“It’s another reason single origin grain and flour from small family owned farms holds an international advantage,” he says. “We can provide the traceability and quality control. The low rainfall on our properties means fewer chemicals. We don’t need fungicides, and we select varieties that are disease resistant. Being a family farm is a definite marketing advantage. Companies and consumers like to know where their flour has come from and have the security of knowing who produced it.”

Find your niche and you find your futurePeter is excited about the future of Australian agriculture

and FRPG in particular. While acknowledging that the falling dollar helps, he doesn’t shy away from the need to continuously explore new markets and tailor wheat for their needs, saying: “It’s a non-stop learning curve for everyone involved”.

FRPG is currently working with the University of Adelaide’s School of Chemical Engineering to try and double the shelf life of wholemeal wheat and, if international demand is high enough, set up a wholemeal mill.

“We keep one step ahead of the market by identifying and then solving a problem for the food industry,” he says.

FRPG went on three government trade missions in 2015. So far, they’ve steered clear of China because the margins were too low. But that market is opening up for premium primary produce. “We’re looking to diversify into three or four countries plus develop our domestic artisan sourdough flour market,” says Peter.

He sees great opportunities for young farmers today. The export market is opening up in exciting ways – if farmers become part of the food industry instead of suppliers of a soft commodity.

“Accept the challenges, and life on and off the farm gets more interesting,” advises Peter.

Drawn from Agribusiness View from NAB Agribusiness. Visit: www.nab.com.au/agriview O


marketing

Are you looking to diversify? Well here’s a great case study which explores how four farming families found and exploited a niche market. A very different crop in a very different locale but I think you’ll find there are many common challenges.

Single origin wheat proving an export hit

L-R) Andrew Byerlee and Peter Barrie of Flinders Ranges Premium Grain in South Australia. (PHOTO: NAB Agribusiness)

2015 saw the highest ever investment in renewable power capacity, with 64 GW of wind and 57 GW of solar PV commissioned during the year, an increase of nearly 30 per

cent over 2014.Clean energy investment surged in China, Africa, the US,

Latin America and India in 2015, driving the world total to its highest ever figure, of $328.9 billion, up four per cent from 2014s revised $315.9 bn and beating the previous record, set in 2011 by three per cent.

The latest figures from Bloomberg New Energy Finance show dollar investment globally growing in 2015 to nearly six times its 2004 total and a new record of one third of a trillion dollars despite four influences that might have been expected to restrain it.

These were: O Further declines in the cost of solar photovoltaics, meaning that more capacity could be installed for the same price;

O The strength of the US currency, reducing the dollar value of non-dollar investment;

O The continued weakness of the European economy, formerly the powerhouse of renewable energy investment; and perhaps most significantly,

O The plunge in fossil fuel commodity prices.Over the 18 months to the end of 2015, the price of Brent

crude plunged 67 per cent from $112.36 to $37.28 per barrel; international steam coal delivered to the north west Europe hub dropped 35 per cent from $73.70 to $47.60 per tonne. Natural gas in the US fell 48 per cent on the Henry Hub index from $4.42 to $2.31 per million British Thermal Units.

Michael Liebreich, chairman of the advisory board at Bloomberg New Energy Finance, said: “These figures are a stunning riposte to all those who expected clean energy investment to stall on falling oil and gas prices. They highlight the improving cost-competitiveness of solar and wind power,

driven in part by the move by many countries to reverse-auction new capacity rather than providing advantageous tariffs, a shift that has put producers under continuing price pressure.

“Wind and solar power are now being adopted in many developing countries as a natural and substantial part of the generation mix: they can be produced more cheaply than often high wholesale power prices; they reduce a country’s exposure to expected future fossil fuel prices; and above all they can be built very quickly to meet unfulfilled demand for electricity. And it is very hard to see these trends going backwards, in the light of December’s Paris Climate Agreement.”

Looking at the figures in detail, the biggest piece of the $328.9 bn invested in clean energy in 2015 was asset finance of utility-scale projects such as wind farms, solar parks, biomass and waste-to-energy plants and small hydro-electric schemes. This totalled $199 bn in 2015, up six per cent on the previous year.1

The biggest financing in onshore wind was of the 1.6GW Nafin Mexico portfolio, for an estimated $2.2 bn. For solar PV, it was the Silver State South project, at 294 MW and about $744 million, and for solar thermal or CSP, it was the NOORo portfolio in Morocco, at 350 MW and around $1.8 bn. The largest biomass project funded was the 330 MW Klabin Ortiguera plant in Brazil, at about $921 m, and the largest geothermal one was Guris Efeler in Turkey, at 170 MW and an estimated $717 m.

After asset finance, the next largest piece of clean energy investment was spending on rooftop and other small-scale solar projects. This totalled $67.4 bn in 2015, up 12 per cent on the previous year, with Japan by far the biggest market, followed by the US and China.

Preliminary indications are that, thanks to this utility-scale and small-scale activity, both wind and solar PV saw around 30 per cent more capacity installed worldwide in 2015 than in 2014.

The wind total for last year is likely to end up at around 64GW, with that for solar just behind at about 57 GW. This combined total of 121 GW will have made up around half of the net capacity added in all generation technologies (fossil fuel, nuclear and renewable) globally in 2015.

National trendsChina was again by far the largest investor in clean energy

in 2015, increasing its dominance with a 17 per cent increase to $110.5 bn, as its government spurred on wind and solar development to meet electricity demand, limit reliance on polluting coal-fired power stations and create international champions.

Second was the US, which invested $56 bn, up eight per cent on the previous year and the strongest figure since the era of the ‘green stimulus’ policies in 2011.

Europe again saw lower investment in 2015, at $58.5 bn, down 18 per cent on 2014 and its weakest figure since 2006. The UK was by far the strongest market, with investment up 24 per cent to $23.4 bn. Germany invested $10.6 bn, down 42 per cent on a move to less generous support for solar and, in wind,


CLEAN ENERGY FEATURE

Clean energy defies fossil fuel price crash to attract record global investment

FIGURE 1: Global clean energy investment 2004–15, $bn

Source: Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

uncertainty about how a new auction system will work from 2017. France saw an even bigger fall in investment, of 53 per cent to $2.9 bn.

Brazil’s clean energy investment slipped 10 per cent to $7.5 bn in 2015, while India’s gained 23 per cent to $10.9 bn, the highest since 2011 but a far cry for the figures needed to implement the Modi government’s ambitious plans.

Japan saw investment rise three per cent to $43.6 bn, on the back of a continuing PV boom. In Canada, clean energy

investment fell 43 per cent to $4.1 bn, while in Australia, it edged up 16 per cent to $2.9 bn.

Africa and the Middle East are two regions with big potential for clean energy, given their growing populations, plentiful solar and wind resources and, in many African countries, low rates of electricity access. In 2015, these regions combined saw investment of $13.4 bn, up 54 per cent on the previous year.

For more information visit: www.bloomberg.com O



The cane industry has considerable experience with growing, managing and handling large quantities of ‘biomass’.

AUSTRALIA’S farmers could benefit from a new database being developed by the Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation (RIRDC) which will map out

the locations of existing and potential biomass that could be purchased for renewable bioenergy generation.

Biomass is any organic matter of plant or animal origin and it can be used to generate electricity and heat or to produce liquid fuels for transport. Biomass is available in many forms, such as agricultural products, forestry products, and municipal and other waste.

Traditionally mainly woody biomass has been used for bioenergy, but more recent technologies have expanded the potential resources to those such as agricultural residues, oilseeds and algae.

The database that is being developed by RIRDC with $3 million support from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) will bring together data on biomass resources across Australia, providing a clearer picture of where untapped sources of biomass are available.

RIRDC’s Managing Director, Craig Burns said the $6.2 million project would help the Australian bioenergy sector become better integrated and ultimately more productive and efficient.

“This database will build better linkages between biomass producers, many of whom are farmers, and bioenergy generators; and that will make it easier to develop biomass generation and biofuel projects in Australia,” Craig said.

“Once developed, the database should also help farmers and businesses get more value from organic material destined

for landfill, disposal or other low value uses by more easily identifying potential buyers for that biomass.

“Once RIRDC has collected the data it will be used to map where biomass resources currently are or where they are predicted to be and then group this with other data on transport infrastructure, land use capability and demographics.”

RIRDC will work with states and territories to collect data on the location, volumes and availability of biomass for inclusion on the ARENA-supported Australian Renewable Energy Mapping Infrastructure (AREMI) platform. AREMI is a centrally accessible repository for ARENA project information and shares mapping data and information with the renewable energy industry.

“There is huge growth potential in the bioenergy sector with bioenergy currently accounting for nearly one per cent of Australia’s electricity production, and seven per cent of renewable electricity production. Biofuels account for approximately one to three per cent of Australia’s fuel consumption,” Craig said.

The first tranche of data is expected to be uploaded to the database in mid-2016 and the project is scheduled for completion in November 2020.

As part of the project Queensland University of Technology and the University of the Sunshine Coast will form a partnership to develop interactive analytic tools to enhance the utility of the data. The investigative tools will be developed in conjunction with various industry sectors to present useful information on current and future potential biomass resources.

Contact: Damon Whittock, RIRDC Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Ph: 02 6271 4175. O

New biomass database to help boost renewable energy sector

BIOGAS is one of the fastest growing areas of renewable energy generation. One of the reasons for the expansion is that Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plants use proven and

bankable technology that can be used for single farm AD plants through to large scale projects. The AD sector in Europe is led by Germany with around 7000 plants whereas the UK has around 200 operational and over 500 more planned. In the US there are over 2000 AD plants.

AD plants can use a wide variety of feedstocks but the reliance on maize as a primary feedstock in many AD plants has led to large increases in plantings. In Germany 800,000 hectares of maize are grown for AD feedstock and 34,000 hectares (19.6 per cent) of the 173,000 hectares of maize grown in England in 2015, were planted for AD feedstock, an increase from the 2014 figure of 16.9 per cent.

AD operators have always recognised that a large per cent inclusion of consistent, dedicated crop biomass feedstock can optimise production performance. Now many are considering using perennial energy grasses to supplement or even replace food crops. Unlike maize, energy grasses do not require the better quality land which some consider is more suited to food production and they also do not need to be annually planted.

“Since we started our studies in 2011 on the suitability of perennial energy grasses for AD feedstock we have been approached by a number of operators and developers but we had to fully understand the technical suitability of our candidate crops before entering any formal relationships” said Dr Mike Carver, Technical Director of New Energy Farms.

“It is now clear, both from our own data and from the

considerable amount of information available from other European and North American researchers, that there are two crops, Miscanthus but more probably Arundo donax, that should be seriously considered as AD feedstocks”.

Miscanthus is already in the market, mainly as an energy crop for combustion processes but many growers and AD operators will be less familiar with Arundo donax. This perennial Giant Reed Grass can produce up to 35 tonnes per hectare (14t/ac) dry matter and would typically be harvested at 20–50 per cent moisture content. Replicated yield data from University and other research facilities across the US and EU confirm these yield figures.

Arundo donax is a warm-temperate or subtropical species that is also able to survive frost. It is suited to many parts of the US and the EU. It is a rhizomatous crop, like Miscanthus, and can grow well even in dry conditions as a result of a good root system developing below the rhizomes. In many circumstances it can grow to heights of eight to nine metres and again, like Miscanthus, it can be harvested with conventional (maize) equipment.

Arundo donax is a clear target crop within the EU for renewable energy as it features in EU funded projects such as OPTIMA, WATBIO, EuroBioRef and FAIR-CT96-2028 (Giant reed network). In the US the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) declared in July 2013 that “Arundo donax, a giant reed that yields three times as much ethanol per acre as corn, qualifies as a cellulosic renewable fuel.”

“There is already a wealth of information on the biogas production from Arundo donax feedstock,” said Mike, “and our



Energy grasses for biogas

Miscanthus is already in the market, mainly as an energy crop for combustion processes.

own NEF trials from the past two seasons have confirmed that it has total gas yields similar to those of maize on a M3/t basis but we believe it will outyield maize in terms of yield /ha so will produce more biogas per hectare.”

Maize generally requires Grade 2 (or above) quality land to ensure harvested yields are high enough to produce economic gas yields per hectare. Arundo donax can be grown on suboptimal land and will perform well on low Grade 2 and even Grade 3 land and there is the added benefit that the plantations provide suitable land areas for recycling of digestate, already a logistical disposal problem around some AD plants.

“Expansion of the cropping areas of perennial energy grasses has been held back by the costs and logistics associated with planting these vegetatively propagated crops,” explained Mike. “But the introduction by NEF of CEEDSTM technology has addressed these problems. It will enable large scale planting of perennial energy grasses to be pursued, and the potential use of Arundo donax as an AD feedstock is just one example of how our new technology will benefit the renewable sector.”

For further information visit: www.newenergyfarms.com O



MIRACLE OR NIGHTMARE…It’s fast-growing and drought-tolerant, producing tons of

biomass per hectare. It thrives even in poor soil and is a self-propagating perennial, so it requires little investment once established.

To people in the renewable fuels industry, Arundo donax – also known as ‘giant reed’ – is nothing short of a miracle plant. In the US an Oregon power plant is looking at it as a potential substitute for coal, and North Carolina is salivating over the prospect of an ethanol bio-refinery that would bring millions of dollars in investment and dozens of high-paying jobs.

But to many scientists and environmentalists, Arundo looks less like a miracle than a nightmare waiting to happen. Officials in at least US three states have banned the bamboo-like grass as a ‘noxious weed’ – California has spent more than $70 million trying to eradicate it. The federal government has labeled it a ‘high risk’ for invasiveness.

Farming director Sam Brake is dwarfed by a stand of Arundo donax in a test plot at the Biofuels Center for North Carolina. (PHOTO: Allen Breed)

Floating on Californian sunshine

THE City of Holtville has signed an agreement with Aussie company Infratech to manufacture a one megawatt floating solar system including 3576 panels, 276 rafts and

12 treatment pumps.It will float on the surface and power a new water treatment

plant to be used for the town’s drinking water supply and irrigation.

The system will also significantly reduce evaporation and decrease the reliance on chemicals such as chlorine to treat the water.

The photosynthesis process that creates blue-green algae will be limited by the shade provided by the panels, which will also keep the water cool and further raise its quality.

Holtville, situated about 120 miles east of San Diego, is known as the ‘Winter Salad Bowl’ of the US and the ‘Carrot Capital of the World’. Its agricultural heartland is relied on to produce more than 80 crops.

Holtville Council Member, David Bradshaw, who also serves as the assistant water manager for community-owned utility Imperial Irrigation District, said the deployment would allow

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Holtville to save valuable agricultural space for farming while reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.

“Our decision to use Infratech’s floating solar system means we are not losing valuable farmland to massive solar farms; we can use three existing ponds and save our soil for increasing our capacity to produce crops,” he said.

“We’re in the desert, and we lose more than five feet of water a year to evaporation while typically only receiving around three inches of rain annually. Also, our main source of water, the Colorado River via the Hoover Dam, is currently in drought.

“Our residents use the water for drinking and irrigation, so this installation means the quality and taste of that water will improve while also ensuring we are on our way to meeting California’s renewable energy target of 50 per cent by 2030.”

Earthquakes an issueHoltville is near the infamous San Andreas Fault so any energy

infrastructure has to be able to withstand earthquakes and tremors.

The floating system can shift on the surface in the instance of tremors and is purpose-built to withstand waves. The system is expected to be fully installed and operational by mid-2016.

Infratech this year opened its first floating solar system at Jamestown in the mid-North of South Australia.

The 300 kg Jamestown floating solar array is putting renewable energy back into the local grid and powering the council’s water treatment facility. It is the first of its kind in Australia.

The Infratech system claims to generate more than 50 per cent more energy than rooftop solar systems to deliver consumers a saving of up to 15 per cent on regular electricity prices.

The Californian project brings new technologies to enable production of renewable energy, waste processing and water management systems to a region with rising demands for reliable water supplies and affordable green energy supplies.

Infratech chief executive Dr Rajesh Nellore said Jamestown, like Holtville, was an arid area subject to harsh climates and drought.

“Jamestown and Holtville are proof points of what is possible when people look to sustainable infrastructure initiatives to power their communities,” Rajesh said.

“These projects also prove that Australian manufacturing has world-class expertise ready to be tapped for renewable energy, clean technology and other initiatives.”

Drawn from an article by Andrew Spence published in The Lead – December 10, 2015 O



Large scale floating solar panel array road tested in the South Australian outback is set to soak up the Californian sunshine.

www.the-gate.com.au





Fliegeroffizier (Flying Officer) Walther Meyer gracefully banked the Messerschmitt 109 and pointed its sharp nose south. The squadron of Heinkel 111s, each weighted down with 5000 kilos of hideous incendiary bombs, would now have to continue on the final leg to Coventry, without the comforting presence of the five fighter escorts. The 109s were handicapped by a limiting 560 kilometre range and having just passed over the landmark village of Chipping Norton, the pilots knew it was time to turn for home.

The Fliegstaffelfuhrer (Squadron Leader) insisted that returning Messerschmitt 109s spread out, as they winged their way home over the English Southern Counties and seek out targets of opportunity, including RAF bases, trains, military convoys, industrial plants and coastal shipping.

Having surprisingly encountered no opposition thus far from Spitfires or Hurricanes, Walther Meyer was conscious that his one 20 mm canon and two 7.9 mm machine guns remained fully loaded. He was also aware his Fliegstaffelfuhrer directed harsh words towards any 109 pilot who returned with unspent ammunition.

Accordingly, Meyer throttled back the big 1800 hp Daimler Benz 605D inline engine and descended to 600 metres. Avoiding the anti-aircraft defences surrounding the London area, he weaved his way east of Tunbridge Wells, hoping to spot a target prior to crossing the Kent coast near Dungeness.

And there it was! A bright orange Fordson tractor, standing

out in clear contrast to the chocolate coloured ploughed field in which it was working.

Meyer kicked the rudder bar and pushed the control column forward, at the same time thrusting the throttle into the wide open position. The unfortunate tractor driver remained totally unaware of the death swooping down upon him. Assailed by a fusillade of white hot bullets and cannon shells, within seconds there remained only a pyre of the smouldering remains of the Fordson and its operator.

As he zoomed over an approaching high ground, Fliegeroffizier Walther Meyer could not believe his luck! Dead ahead was yet another orange Fordson. Within half a minute, a column of smoke marked another ‘win’ for the laughing Meyer as he urged his Messerschmitt 109 across The Channel in the direction of home. Not only two kills to his credit, but not a Spitfire or Hurricane in sight! And surely only the Brits would be stupid enough to have bright orange tractors in wartime!

The FordsonHenry Ford introduced his Fordson Model F in 1917,

designed by Bulgarian immigrant Eugene Farkas. Unlike nearly all other tractors of the era, the Model F was a frame-less unit construction. The engine block, gear box and rear differential were joined rigidly together, thus creating an immensely strong unit, which was not subjected to the torsional flexing of chassis type tractors.


Tractors at war O By Ian M. Johnston

CLASSIC TRACTOR TALES

A 1941 Fordson in its wartime dull green.

It is sufficient to state that the 20 hp tractor performed ‘adequately.’ But there were two reasons why, by the mid 1920s, the Fordson F had achieved the title of the world’s top selling tractor. Firstly, it sold for around half the price of similarly powered tractors. Secondly, it was produced in such vast numbers that they were readily available in most farming areas around the world. By 1923 production topped 100,000 per annum. Indeed the British government placed an order for 6000 units and a further 26000 were exported to The Soviet Union.

In a surprise move, in 1928–29 production of Fordson tractors was transferred from the US to Cork in Ireland and then to Dagenham in England. The Model F was upgraded, but in actual fact little changed, to become the 24 hp Model N. The solemn grey colour was changed to a more attractive blue with either red or orange wheels.

By 1937 Fordson sales entered a period of decline. International Harvester, Massey Harris, Oliver and others were offering better and more modern tractors. A concerned Fordson marketing team decided that a lustrous new colour scheme would likely give a boost to sales. Bright orange was selected!

It is doubtful if this resulted in increased sales, except to the British government, which in 1939 placed an order for 3000 of the orange tractors, in order to bolster the war time ‘Ploughing Up Campaign’. This was aimed at increasing farm output, necessary to counter the prevailing wartime food shortages.

By the following year, particularly in the south of England, the farming landscape was significantly embellished by hundreds of gaily coloured Fordson Model N tractors. This unfortunately coincided with the arrival of swastika emblazoned Luftwaffe Heinkels, Dorniers and Junkers and their marauding Messerschmitt escorts.

It became a regular occurrence for these innocuous and utterly defenceless tractors and their unsuspecting operators to be blown to smithereens by the German fighter aircraft. Accordingly, His Majesty’s War Office held a special meeting decreeing that henceforth, during the wartime emergency, all Fordson tractors would be painted a dull dark green in order they blend in with the rural landscape.

As a result, the mortality rate of British tractor drivers went into a steep decline.

World War I and Heinrich LanzThe giant German tractor and farm machinery manufacturer

Heinrich Lanz A.G., experienced its first association with military affairs during the latter years of World War I. This was the era in which Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin’s airships were converted into bomb carrying flying machines, capable of transporting to, and dropping bombs on any European capital city.

While historians generally refer to these airships as ‘Zeppelins’, it is often forgotten (or indeed unknown) that the Mannheim firms of Lanz and Schutte created a partnership to design and manufacture an alternative airship, which proved to be considerably technically more advanced than the Zeppelins.

Unlike the rigid canvass enshrouded metal outer frame of the Zeppelins, which encased the giant hydrogen gas bags, the Lanz-Schutte used an innovative design of laminated timber framework. The lighter material resulted in a much increased carrying capacity. Accordingly, the 143 metre long Lanz-Schutte had a gas capacity in excess of 26,000 cubic metres which enabled a lifting capacity of 8000 kilograms.

Three crew-carrying gondolas were strung below the cigar shaped frame, each supporting a Maybach 240 hp engine with a pusher propeller, providing a cruising speed of 90 km per hour. at around 2500 metres.

World War II and Lanz BulldogsBy the outbreak of World War II in 1939, Lanz Bulldog

tractors were sales leaders in Germany and highly respected around the world (including Australia) for their simplicity of design and dependability. The single cylinder two-stroke engine


A Lanz-Schutte airship under construction at Mannheim.

143 metres in length, (the length of 1.5 football fields), unlike the heavier steel framed Zeppelins, the Lanz-Schutte airship featured a skeleton framework constructed of laminated wood.

A sleek but lethal Messerschmitt 109 flying over Southern England.

featured only five moving parts and could be fuelled with low grade and inexpensive naphtha or crude oil.

Owing to the low compression ratio of five to one, it was necessary to pre-heat the hot bulb region of the combustion chamber with a blow lamp, in order for the engine to commence firing.

This perhaps tedious feature was to prove a godsend for the Third Reich forces during the calamitous Eastern Front campaign, which endured from June 1941 until May 1945, involving central and northern Europe and in later stages the Balkans and Germany.

Basically, when Hitler’s Luftwaffe failed to overwhelm Great Britain during the Battle of Britain (and this when Britain stood alone as America had not yet entered the conflict), he turned his military might in the direction of Moscow, believing The Soviet Union to be a soft target. In this he was to be proved horrendously wrong!

The battles on The Eastern Front between the Allied forces and the German war machine constituted the largest military confrontations in history. An estimated 30 million lives were lost, many of them civilians.

Appalling conditions were experienced during the long winter months, with temperatures dropping to minus 50°C. In addition to the legions of Wehrmacht (Germany army) personnel who froze to death, many being equipped with only tropical uniforms, machinery could also freeze solid.

For example, crews of the fearsome 62 tonne Tiger Panzers (tanks), with their devastating 88 mm guns, were obliged to keep the big 690 hp Maybach engines operating 24 hours a day, or else they froze rock solid.

Similarly, owing to an acute petrol shortage, which determined that petrol powered Wehrmacht trucks could not be left idling during the night, the drivers were required to maintain a smouldering charcoal fire positioned immediately below their vehicle’s engine! On the spot execution was the penalty for allowing the fire to go out or should the truck catch alight!

Lanz Bulldog tractors, which could always be started owing to the blow lamp pre-heating arrangement, were perhaps the only engines that did not succumb to the freezing conditions. They were put to a multitude of tasks during the Eastern Front campaign, and were credited with being responsible for the Luftwaffe fighter aircraft being able to continue to operate from their mid-winter Russian located air bases.

The aircraft (including twin engined Messerschmitt 110s, Junker JU87 Stuka dive bombers, Focke-wulf 190 ground attack fighters and the high wing Henschel Hs 126s,) were cosseted in

heated temporary canvas hangers when not operational. Lanz Bulldogs were used to clear the snow on the take-off runways and pull the aircraft from their hangers.

Although plagued with aviation fuel shortages and being subjected to the daunting task of engaging with the much superior Soviet Lavochkin, Yakovlev and Polikarpov fighters, the German aircraft put up a strong resistance until being finally virtually driven from the Soviet dominated skies.

The Lanz Bulldogs were largely destroyed by the advancing Soviets or abandoned by the fuel starved retreating Wehrmacht.� O


IAN’S CLASSIC TRACTOR QUIZThe quiz is designed for those who have an interest in

tractor history. Some of the questions are dead easy, others are stinkers! But remember it is only a frivolous fun thing, and you are invited to give it your best shot. Good luck – Ian M Johnston. 1. Which one of these single cylinder two-stroke tractor

engines was NOT a semi diesel — Field Marshall, McDonald Imperial or KL Bulldog?

2. Australian made Jelbart tractors were manufactured at — Bendigo, Ballarat or Benalla?

3. The Canadian Cockshutt 90 was infact a rebadged — Allis Chalmers, Oliver or Case?

4. The 50 hp diesel powered Sift imported into Australia from Europe during the late 1940s and early 1950s was manufactured in — Italy, Germany or France?

5. The Ansaldo TF70 crawler tractor was powered by a four cylinder diesel — Fiat, Landini or Alfa Romeo engine?

6. The 1913 three wheeled Case was the model — 1020, 12-25 or 18-32?

7. Harry Ferguson attached a plough to which make of car to test his revolutionary mounted implement theory — Rolls Royce, Ford Model T or Humber?

8. A four wheel drive industrial loader of the 1960s known as The Crab was manufactured by which Australian company — Conquip, Pacific Ace or Cranvel?

9. The GM 270D engine in the Chamberlain Super 90 was — naturally aspirated, turbo charged or supercharged?

10. In 1929 the Oliver Corporation purchased which opposition tractor company — Minneapolis Moline, Hart Parr or Holt?

See answers on page 72.

A Wehrmacht Panzer Tiger pictured in Russia, during the Eastern Front campaign.

Pictured is a Lanz Bulldog crawler tractor, deployed by the Luftwaffe, dragging a Messerschmitt 110 through soft mud, during the Eastern Front campaign.

Express your interest by giving Lloyd (0428 724 615) or David (0437 000 234) a call or visit www.greenmounttravel.com.au

THE all-new 4000 Series JCB Fastrac, now available in Australia, draws on 20 years of experience and expertise in design, development and production, raising performance

and productivity levels to new heights.According to David Moselen, JCB National Fastrac Manager,

the new model is designed around the core Fastrac features that make it the world’s most versatile and comfortable tractor, with a host of enhancements that make it even more comfortable and productive.

“The new series has multiple mounting points for the ultimate in tractor utilisation and fast field and road speeds, with more sophisticated all-round suspension and braking for stability, safety and comfort,” David says.

“Adding to these qualities is proven fuel efficiency and a generous supply of power with up to 235 hp (175k W) and torque up to 950Nm – 42 per cent more torque than previous Fastrac models, as well as a new 6.6-litre, six-cylinder Tier-4 engine.”

The new series also features an all-new hydro-pneumatic self-levelling suspension available in standard and advanced options.

“The advanced version includes manual override to allow the operator to control the suspension system at low speed,” David says.

“A full length chassis provides great strength, removing stress from the engine and transmission. The completely new design features pre-drilled holes to allow for a front-end loader to be fitted, boosting efficiency and significantly increasing its versatility, making this machine ideally suited for every farming operation.”

The 4000 series also features the new CommandPlus cab which offers space, comfort and increased visibility for the operator.

“The driver’s seat now swivels further, 50 degrees to the right and 20 degrees to the left, making it easier to keep an eye on rear-mounted and trailed equipment.

Other features of the new series include the new Fast Steer option, allowing operators to reduce the number of turns from lock to lock; JCB LiveLink which offers real-time information on fleet management, maintenance, run hours, and security straight to a computer, tablet or mobile; and GPS auto-steer preparation which communicates directly with the hydraulic steering system, removing the need for add-on valve blocks or sensors.

For further information contact: Julie-Ann Reid, JCB Construction Equipment Australia,Ph: 02 8788 8513; E: [email protected] O


news & new products

New generation Fastrac now available in Australia

The new 4000 series is designed around the core Fastrac features making it one of the world’s most versatile and comfortable tractors.

What’s on the Greenmount Travel radar for

2016?V North Korea*V Southern/Eastern AfricaV Canada/USV Silk RoadV Northern Europe

* Closing date for North Korea tour is the end of February – SO BE QUICK!

For more than 20 years Greenmount Travellers have criss-crossed the globe visiting amazing agricultural, geographical and cultural destinations including China, Russia, South & North Americas, Cuba, Mexico, Canada, India, Tibet, Africa, Eastern & Western Europe, Scandinavia, United Kingdom, SE Asia, Japan, The Kimberleys and Papua New Guinea.

Express your interest by giving Lloyd (0428 724 615) or David (0437 000 234) a call or visit www.greenmounttravel.com.au

Ph: 07 4659 3555www.greenmounttravel.com.auE: [email protected]

Fax: 07 4638 4520

Licence No. ABN 57085 828011TAG 1608 IATA 96-804831

NORTHERN REGIONHappy New Year and welcome to 2016.2015 had a very wet finish, with over 650 mm received in the

last couple weeks of December, causing some minor flooding is some areas. In saying that, 2016 is shaping to be another good year and through January most of the northern region had ideal weather with good growing conditions. Most of the rain received was at night with very hot and very humid days. These favourable conditions also enabled farmers to continue with their weed management programs.

In mid January a shed meeting was held at Mossman Agricultural Services where the 2015 Productivity reports where handed out along with MAS’s work plan of for the 2016 season.

Driving through the area I have noticed some yellowing of cane and I sense that Yellow Canopy Syndrome may again be present in the Mossman region. It is important to remember that there are many reasons for cane turning yellow.

Cane can turn yellow for a variety of reasons including drought stress, phytotoxicity (or herbicide damage), insect attack, disease, nutrient deficiency or natural maturing. It is important to understand how symptoms that are commonly observed from each of these causes differ from YCS. Please contact SRA or your local Productivity board for clarification, if you feel that you may have YCS.

All through February and March I will be on the road in the ‘Cane Captiva’ in my role as Next Gen Officer for the industry. This year I will be starting my journey in Northern NSW and working my way North to Mossman. So please check the Next Gen web site for when I will be in a mill region near you. I am always happy to meet any new young farmers and also the young at heart. To find out more about the Next Gen program, please visit nextgenfarmer.com.

Gerard Puglisi, Northern Region Director February 18, 2016

SOUTH JOHNSTONE, MULGRAVE, TULLY

The crop appears to be in good shape except for the late-cut cane, due to the late 2015 harvest finish.

Weather has been hot for much longer than usual but we have received just enough rain from the regular storms to keep things moist. All in all, the crop should be similar to last year’s record tonnage of 92 tonnes per hectare.

South Johnstone Mill is busy working to prepare the mill, with only necessary maintenance for what appears to be a similar overall crop to last year. The season running to the end of 2015 has tightened their maintenance window.

Speaking of the mill, the way the current Cane Supply Contracts

between the mills and farmers are structured disadvantages the farmer, with long term sugar pricing. At this stage of our contract, farmers can’t take advantage of long term pricing pools as we are out of a cane supply contract with the mill at the end of this crop cycle, and must wait until we can negotiate a new contract before the long term price pools can be accessed.

Unfortunately, a current fall in the sugar price due to international market pressure has driven farm income returns even lower than previous projections. This, coupled with a low mill average CCS, due to the drawn out harvest season last year, leaves farmers with less than ideal returns, now and in the coming months.

Michael Camilleri, Northern Director February 18, 2016

HERBERTIt looks like the wet season has been delayed in the Herbert,

or is it just that in previous years the wet season was at the end of February and all of March and April? There have been quite a lot of storms around the district where some areas have done well and other areas have missed out, receiving only one or two mm of rain. Stone River has had no rain to speak of since April last year and Macknade has been missing out as well, along with Abergowrie. The Coastal strip is where the rain seems to be falling and in some of the areas, the cane in this belt has started to lodge.

Yellow Canopy Syndrome has started to flare up, impacting Hawkins Creek, Macknade, Forest Home and Abergowrie, with one block of cane being ploughed in at Gairlock, as YCS had caused stalk-death.

Ripple Creek and Macknade is experiencing their third year of YCS. Samples of affected cane have been sent to SRA and other laboratories for analysis.


Districtreports...

Brisbane ●

● CairnsAtherton TablelandMossman–Mulgrave

Innisfail–TullyHerbert

BurdekinProserpine

Mackay–Sarina

Bundaberg

Maryborough

New South Wales

Rocky Point

At present there is a management trial being carried out in the Palm Creek area by HCPSL and SRA. A number of different treatments are being trialled, such as microbes, insecticides, various nutrients and sun-screen to name a few.

Feral Pigs are still a threat although the number is lower than it was ten years ago. The

Government has been asked to review 1080 baits and research is being carried out by the Government, in conjunction with the Council and the Productivity Board, on a programme for the removal of these pests.

Rats are giving the cane a hiding especially in blocks of Q208. The last cut is also being attacked and when the rats have eaten this out they are moving into the higher ratoons. As the rats are looking for protein in weed seed, make sure weeds are controlled.

Government Regulations have not been rolled back and it is mandatory that soil tests are carried out on the blocks that are to be planted. Only accredited companies under reef wise can carry out these soil tests. Information is available from HCPSL and the Reef wise web site.

Seed plots are progressing quite well and there will be enough material for cane plants this year. An upgrade is being carried out on the GPS Station and this is ongoing at present.

Pachymetra is very high over the whole district. Something else to worry about as this lowers productivity, as do YCS and feral pests.

I would also like to mention the loss of Dawn Brown who passed away on January 3, 2016 after a long illness. Dawn was a very valuable member of our group, a former Director of the ACFA and the first ever female Director. We extend our sympathies to her partner, Renzo, family and friends. We will miss her!

Carol Mackee, ACFA Herbert Director February 18, 2016

CENTRAL REGIONThe New Year started off with varying amounts of rain fall. It

was enough to help crops to keep going. The rain event of early February ranged from 100 to 350 mm. These events were storm rain and were not received uniformly across the area. Kinchant Dam is at 40 per cent and irrigators are looking for rain to have the storage full for the upcoming water year. Limitations have been placed on licences from creeks and tributaries in the area also.

The mills have commenced the maintenance for the coming crushing season. Mackay Sugar has made available, to suppliers, the planned maintenance and capital program, highlighting areas which intend to improve plant availability. Last year significant improvements were achieved at Farleigh and Racecourse mills. Growers are hoping that ongoing changes will result in a similar result for Marian as well.

The sugar industry’s emerging technologies will soon come under the spotlight when Mackay hosts the 38th Annual Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists (ASSCT) Conference.

Organised by ASSCT and Mackay Sugar, the three-day event will take place at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre from April 27–29.

The event, themed Emerging Technologies in a Global Industry, will feature international speakers, presentations of technical research papers, approximately 50 trade displays, tours, and evening networking functions.

Key note speakers include Simon Usher, CEO of Bonsucro (an organisation based in Brazil and the UK that is dedicated to fostering the sustainability of a thriving sugarcane sector), and

Executive Chairman Pramod Chyaudhr, of Praj Industries (a global bioenergy, renewable chemicals and environmental technologies company in India).

Steve Fordyce, Southern Queensland February 18, 2016

SOUTHERN REGIONWe have had some great rain for sugarcane with 300 mm

over mid February and isolated damaging storms, localised twisters and hail – mainly coastal. This was in all areas as the system lasted over a week. It highlights the irrigation cost problem: only low pressure (read low pumping energy) systems are cost effective.

Lobbying for a better share of community wealth through electricity pricing is paramount. The mining sector downturn is making agriculture more important in the community for export income and therefore employment.

A women’s Agribusiness Conference at the sunny coast in February is aimed at corporate farming women. I guess by the article in Rural Weekly, I get the impression that, with high cattle prices, many grazing businesses have up-scaled from ‘family’ to ‘family-corporate’.

Local branding – a new local brand name group has set up for producers in the region – a buzzword and I guess sugar producers are feeling left out. We have to remember that QSL gives us local branding in the export market.

QSL sugar pricing meetings – it’s not that complicated! Being able to make a choice does mean that you could make a ‘not the best’ choice, but you will not know until the next year. Make use of the available advice and live with your decision. The alternative is to spend the next year blaming someone else. Would you be happy working your farm by default decisions? The TPP might seem a long way off, but prior planning and preparation pays off.

Sugarcane land continues to go to tree crops. I believe a lot of this is directly related to my former comments – irrigation energy costs.

Everything is green here – beans and peanuts are a little over watered but the sugarcane is just loving it!

Mike Hetherington, ACFA Southern Region Director February 18, 2016

NEW SOUTH WALESThe weather has been kind to almost all of the NSW industry,

with the crop progressing well. While we may not have a record crop it will most certainly be better than what we had a few years ago, when we harvested an unsustainable crop at each of the three mills.

The few varieties that continue to perform well are Q208, KQ228 and Q183. Q208 seems to perform well in most conditions as well as on most soil types.

Let us hope that the weather delivers what we wish for – rain each night and sunshine each day – oh well it does not hurt to wish.

Soy beans are looking good once again and if the weather treats us well, this will put some dollars in growers’ pockets.

All indications are that the world production will once again be lower that consumption and this should give the price a well earned boost. Let us hope for a good crop and a better than expected price.

Robert Quirk, ACFA New South Wales Director February 18, 2016


CONTRARY to popular belief I’m quite a sociable person. I’ll be the first to admit I have a very low ‘stuff-about-ability threshold’ because I don’t like my time and effort

to go unappreciated or taken for granted, but by and large I get along with just about everyone. One of the things I learnt from teaching was that enthusiasm is more important than intelligence, and I have all the time in the world for anyone who’s enthusiastic, especially about fishing.

And so it was that I struck up a conversation with a young fella and his dad on the boat ramp at Taylors Beach, not far from Ingham. Tom’s mum had taken something seriously that his dad only poked at her in fun and now the hot topic was whether young Tom would have a brother or sister and when. From what I gathered it was a toss up which would arrive first the baby or the high tide but mum had decided that the ‘boys’ should go fishing while she stayed back in the caravan with her feet up.

Now, I’d rather see an empty seat in church than an empty seat in a dingy, and as I had a Tom size life jacket it only seemed natural that my two new best friends should make up the rest of the crew. Regrettably the northerly that had blown for weeks on end, combined with huge tides made the conditions pretty ordinary and the fishing wasn’t much better, but a good time was had by all.

Back in the van park I had an invitation for a beer at Tom’s place, which was only two power points away from mine, and the topics of conversation ranged from travelling time to the maternity ward to travel in general and, naturally, fishing.

I’ve never had much time for ‘hypotheticals’ and ‘what if’ questions are right up there with the debate on life after death, politics and the Syrian situation.

But when a young fella with more enthusiasm than the earths gravitational pull keeps putting them out there a bloke feels a certain obligation to make sure he gets answers that mean something.

So, when that inevitable old chestnut of “what’s the most important thing for a traveling ‘fisho’ to have in his tackle box” came across the table I really had to consider my priorities. I stressed to Tom that ‘important’ was relative and it really depended on the where, when and how you were travelling.

With a boat and camper and about five ton of rolling mass I didn’t leave much at home – but if I were back packing things would be different.

My vehicle based adventures always include multiple rods and a big selection of lures and associated tackle – if I’m walking my old Alice pack only has room for a hand line and the basics or perhaps a short tube strapped to the frame for my six piece fly rod.

Having said all that, there are things I


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FISHING

Phil philosophises about a fisherman and his floss!

O By Phil Jackson – Fly, Tye and Tackle




Minnkota Humminbird

Daiwa Shimano

PennAbu Garcia

G-loomis Jackall

MAILORDER

WELCOME


carry no matter what and preferably things with multiple uses and here they are in no particular order.

Polaroid sunglasses are a given, but not just any Polaroid’s.Having reached that time in life where my eyesight and

memory both leave a lot to guess work I’ve found the ultimate sunnys. I’m not going to promote a brand here but my latest best buy is a pair of Polaroids with a clear 2x magnification insert. I just look down as if I were wearing bifocals and I have perfect vision for tying knots and all the other fiddly stuff a fisho has to do. You’ll find them in most decent tackle stores and they’re worth every cent. But I don’t wear Polaroids when I drive or fly because modern windscreens and aircraft canopies are made of curved polymer and the curves create stress points which appear as a multi coloured smudge, like oil on water, called bio-fringics and it can create a blind spot.

Believe it or not, one of the most valuable things in my travel kit is dental floss.

Before you ‘e-me’ to say my eyesight isn’t the only thing that’s failing I’ll remind you that all things are relative and my choice is based on my experiences, so I carry a wide flat satin floss. Why I hear you ask? Oral hygiene aside, dental floss is one of the most versatile items you can carry. It’s virtually unbreakable and makes an ideal thread.

I’ve sewn up everything from tents to trousers with dental floss and I once helped a guy repair a hole in a bulletproof vest. I won’t go into how the vest got a hole in the first place but I think ‘bullet resistant’ would be a better description. Taken straight from the container dental floss is reasonably sterile and makes an excellent suture material – in an emergency!

I’ve used it to bridle rig live baits to troll for Marlin and rebind runners on fishing rods.

Actually dental floss makes one of the best rod bindings and I use it on my fly rods because it lies incredibly flat and disappears under the clear varnish.

You can spin a couple of strands together if you need a string thick enough to hold onto and I’ve used it to make a bow saw to start a fire. I use it to tie saltwater flies and I’ve even stitched the soles back on a pair of Dunlop Volleys.

In 1982 two prisoners, twin brothers, in a high security prison in Ohio made ‘angel wire’ by coating a length of dental floss in hobby glue and rolling it in sand before hiding it in the hems of their prison issue shirt.

On the way to court they cut through the bars in the back door of the vehicle, reached through and opened the latch from the outside. When the vehicle stopped at traffic lights they jumped out and did a runner. Regrettably one brother ran into traffic and was hit by a high school bus on its way to a football match. The other brother ran back to help and was detained by the footballers until the prison vehicle could do a U-turn and make good the arrest. I suppose it just goes to show that anything is possible with dental floss and a little bit of imagination.

In defense of DefendersAt this point in my narrative I feel it’s important to pass on

an important fact about Land Rover Defenders. Oil leaks, poor electrics, poor brakes, poorly fitting body panels and lousy seats aside, people who drive Defenders are a cult – kindred spirits that can spot a Landy a mile off in thick bush, thick fog or thick traffic.

We’re one of, if not the only, group of vehicle owners who acknowledge one another with the same wave or knowing nod as the survivors of a great ordeal or recipients of some obscure award. No matter where it’s parked a Defender will always attract another Defender owner, former owner or ‘wannabe’ owner. Defender drivers aren’t unique, just different. So, when Ralph introduced himself it seemed perfectly natural.

Ralph was an ex-pat South African civil engineer of Dutch heritage who has driven ‘Landys’ all over the world, and a keen fisherman.

The common rail turbo diesel towing my camper is a far cry from the vehicle Ralph drove through the foothills of the Himalayas when he was running the telegraph wires that still forms the backbone of communications in Asia, but Tom was more interested in fishing and Ralph was a wealth of information and an introduction to the Walla’s lure.


FISHING




Minnkota Humminbird

Daiwa Shimano

PennAbu Garcia

G-loomis Jackall

MAILORDER

WELCOME


The Walla or Hobo lureFor those of you who’ve never had the life enriching

experience of living in the subcontinent, a Walla is a servant. Every European household has a ‘Dhobi Walla’ who does all the laundry, and when the Chai Walla (the cook) wanted fish the Dhobi Walla would be sent to buy them in the markets or catch them with his home made lure.

I know this lure as the Hobo lure, from the southern US, and it’s made from bottle tops and is one of the reasons Hobos are renowned for their resourcefulness and ingenuity.

It’s designed as a ‘use and lose’ because it’s so cheap and simple, basically a couple of beer bottle tops kinked and strung on a line with a hook on the end. But mine are little more refined because this lure will catch anything that eats other fish so I go prepared.

Simply kink a couple stubby caps; I prefer a combination of XXXX and Coopers because I like the colour combination, punch a hole in each side at the crease and thread them onto a line. It helps if you punch the holes inwards because the burr will affect the spinning.

In salt water I use 88 lb wire trace with a split ring and swivel at each end and a red bead between each cap.

The wire insures you don’t get bitten off because mackerel just kill this lure and the small bead helps the caps spin as you troll or retrieve.

Hook choice and size is dependent on the species you’re chasing and I rig them with a single straight hook, three ganged straight hooks, or a treble. If you’ve never used a Hobo lure save your stubby caps and try it out, it’s more than worth the small amount of trouble you’ll go to. O


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FISHING

IAN’S CLASSIC TRACTOR QUIZ ANSWERS 1. Field Marshall. 2. Ballarat. 3. Oliver. 4. France. 5. Alfa Romeo. 6. 10-20. 7. Ford Model T. 8. Cranvel. 9. Supercharged.10. Hart Parr.

The world famous Hobo lure. Simple, cheap and effective.

Multi purpose dental floss for everything from rod binding to prison breaks and Polaroid’s with 2x inserts make the fiddly stuff so easy.

contents…australiansugarcane.com.au/back issues/201fmsug16/201fmsug16.pdfglobal investment 19 new...

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